Leicester City has appointed former Queens Park Rangers head coach Marti Cifuentes as its new manager on a three-year contract, filling the vacancy left by Ruud van Nistelrooy’s departure in June following the club’s relegation from the Premier League. The 43-year-old Spaniard joins after 19 months at QPR, where he steered the West London side from the relegation zone to 15th place last season. Leicester paid an undisclosed compensation fee reported to exceed £400,000, with Cifuentes personally contributing a portion to secure the move. Chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said Cifuentes brings a “modern, progressive footballing philosophy” that aligns with the Foxes’ plan to mount an immediate return to the top flight. Cifuentes, calling the role a “great honour,” will lead the team into its Championship opener at home to Sheffield Wednesday on 10 August.