Championship Sack Race: Marti Cifuentes Odds Slashed Plus Chris Davies Update at Birmingham

Leicester City manager Marti Cifuentes has become the clear favourite to be the next Championship boss sacked following Ryan Mason's dismissal from West Brom. Bookmakers have slashed Cifuentes' odds to 3/1 after Leicester's inconsistent form in their return to the second tier, despite a recent 2-1 victory over West Brom that sealed Mason's fate[3][2].

Mason was axed by West Brom on Tuesday after a late defeat to Leicester on Monday, marking their fourth loss in five games. This result propelled Cifuentes into pole position in the sack race, with pressure mounting on the Spaniard hired in July 2025 to replace Ruud van Nistelrooy and guide the Foxes back to the Premier League[3][5].

Leicester's season has been a rollercoaster. Football Insider reported last month that the club was seriously considering sacking Cifuentes, but a three-match unbeaten run—including wins over Derby and Ipswich—temporarily saved his job. However, subsequent losses, such as to Sheffield United, have reignited doubts[3]. Recent results show a mixed bag: victories against Swansea, Norwich, and Stoke, but defeats to Hull, Millwall, Blackburn, and Southampton, plus draws with Wrexham, Portsmouth, and Middlesbrough, leaving them in mid-table[5][4].

Trailing Cifuentes at 4/1 is Birmingham City's Chris Davies, whose side languishes in 14th place amid growing unrest. Sheffield Wednesday's Henrik Pedersen follows at 5/1. Several second-tier managers face scrutiny at the start of 2026, but Cifuentes tops the bookies' lists from leading UK firms[3][2].

Fans and pundits are vocal, with calls to "want him gone" amid concerning stats highlighting Leicester's failure to dominate as promotion favourites. Upcoming fixtures could prove decisive in determining if Cifuentes survives the winter[4][5].

(Word count: 298)