Sven-Goran Eriksson Sacking: The 5 Most Likely Successors at Leicester City

Michael Steele/Getty Images

Sven-Goran Eriksson left Leicester City by mutual consent yesterday after an average start to the Championship season.

The Foxes are currently 13th in the league after racking up 19 points in 13 games. In the meantime, the club's academy director Jon Rudkin and coach Mike Stowell will be joint acting managers.

After spending over £10 million on new players this summer, it was unlikely that anything but promotion would satisfy the club's owners. After losing 3-0 to Millwall at the weekend, the game was up for Eriksson.

For the incoming manager, promotion is certainly still going to be the target. The club lies only five points behind second placed Middlesbrough, and just two off the playoff spots.

The swift dismissal of Eriksson may put off some managers, but the wages on offer and funds available may turn the heads of some big name bosses.

So who will be the man to take over at the King Power Stadium? Who can guide them back to the top tier of English football? Write your thoughts below.

5. Steve McClaren

Ben Hoskins/Getty Images

Steve McClaren has got some work to do to repair his reputation. After performing wonders in Holland with FC Twente, he failed to impress during a short stint at Wolfsburg.

Then came a spell in charge of Nottingham Forest, where boardroom strife meant McClaren couldn't make any mark on the club.

Has too much harm been done to his reputation for the Leicester fans to accept McClaren? It was only this summer that McClaren's chances of taking over as Aston Villa boss were dashed when the supporters loudly voiced their discontent.

McClaren would see Leicester as a perfect fit. Their squad is the best in the league on paper, and could be a good route for him to get back into the Premier League.

However, he is most likely an outside chance. McClaren's career is still recovering from his spell with England, and there are far more popular choices for the clubs owners to consider.

Odds: 16/1*

*Odds based on Skybet as of 24/10/2011

4. Alan Curbishley

Christopher Lee/Getty Images

Curbishley has been out of work since 2008, despite being linked to many jobs in that time. It would seem that he needs to find a club soon or will risk being forgotten completely.

If Leicester's bosses feel that the club needs to be turned around then Curbishley could be their man.

If all goes as planned, and the club finds themselves in the Premier League next year, Curbishley has the experience needed to succeed. On average his teams finish 10th, so Curbs could be a good long term bet.

The longer a manager is out of work, the harder it is for him to find a club. This could be the case with Curbishley, for this reason I think he only has an outside chance.

Odds: 14/1

Joint 2nd. Mark Hughes

Clive Mason/Getty Images

Mark Hughes is currently locked in a battle of words with his former boss, Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed.

Hughes claims that he left Fulham due to a lack of ambition on the part of the club. This is not the case at Leicester, where the club's wealthy owners don't seem to lack ambition.

If Hughes did go to Leicester, it would be seen as a massive coup for the club. The main doubt regarding this link is whether Hughes would step down a division, as this might not satisfy his personal ambitions.

Odds: 6/1

Joint 2nd. Billy Davies

Stu Forster/Getty Images

Also at 6/1 is the former Derby manager Billy Davies.

Davies has been out of work since he left Nottingham Forest in June, and Leicester is likely to be the best job out there for the Scot.

Davies may not have the name recognition that his rivals might, but he does have the advantage of experience at Championship level. In spells with Derby, Preston and Nottingham Forest, Davies has achieved playoff spots five times.

Davies may be used as a stopgap manager, used to get the club back into the Premiership and then moved on in favour of a bigger name.

However, having only won the playoffs once in five attempts, his track record may not be seen as good enough.

Odds: 6/1

1. Martin O'Neill

Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

Could Martin O'Neill return to the club where he made his name? He is the massive favourite with the bookies, and after spending a year out of management Leicester could be the perfect fit for the former Villa boss.

O'Neill was in charge over ten years ago and guided the club to two League Cups.

After falling out with Villa chairman Randy Lerner over transfer funds, Leicester could be just what O'Neill needs. If the owners choose to back the new manager in the same way that they did with Sven over the summer then O'Neill could be swayed.

But will a man whose name is perennially linked with the biggest jobs in English football join a Championship team?

Odds: 1/2