Craig Shakespeare has thanked Leicester's owners for giving him his first chance in management - as Sean Dyche claims he is 'flattered to be linked with the moe'

The Srivaddhanaprabha family, the club's Thai owners, are searching for a third manager in eight months after sacking Shakespeare on Tuesday, just four months into a three-year contract he signed in the summer.

The 53-year-old replaced Claudio Ranieri on a caretaker basis in February but was given a permanent deal after keeping the 2015-16 champions in the Premier League and guiding them to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

However, Leicester have won only one league match this season and sit in the bottom three of the table after Monday night's 1-1 home draw with West Brom extended their winless run to six Premier League games.

Sean Dyche is currently manager of Burnley (
Image:
Ian MacNicol)

Dyche is said to be one of the front runners for the job, along with Chris Coleman and Alan Pardew.

In a statement to the League Managers Association, Shakespeare said: "I would like to thank the owners and board of Leicester City for giving me the opportunity to manage this fantastic club.

"My sincere thanks also to the players, who have always been a pleasure to work with.

"I have every confidence that, given time and once at full strength, this squad will pull away from its current Premier League position and soon deliver the high levels of performance they have demonstrated over the past three seasons.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed working with my coaching staff and the staff throughout the club, who I thank for their hard work and support.

"I will always have such special memories, both on and off the pitch, from my two spells working for Leicester City.

Craig Shakespeare taking training for Foxes before he was sacked (
Image:
Plumb Images)

"Memories which I have shared with the club's outstanding fans. I would like to thank each of them for their support, especially in the past six months as I have made the transition into management.

"Finally, I'd like to wish Leicester City every success for the future as I move on to the next challenge in my career."

Meanwhile, Dyche claims he is flattered to be linked with the vacant manager’s job at Leicester.

Dyche is understood to feature on Leicester’s list of targets to succeed the sacked Shakespeare and the Burnley boss sees their interest as recognition for the Clarets’ success.

“First of all, I don’t want any manager to lose their job, but the business is very tough,” said Dyche, who is believed to have a £2.5million compensation clause in his Burnley contract.

“Coming down to myself, it’s not the first time I’ve been linked with another club.

“In a way, you’re flattered because it’s some form of recognition for the work by the players, the staff and myself.

“But it’s a paper story. There’s no story from me. That’s the way it is.

Alan Pardew is also said to be in the frame for the job (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)

“There’s nothing in my consideration other than Man City on Saturday.”

Dyche claims he is not aware of any approach from Leicester to Burnley to speak to him.

“I’m not aware of any approach from anyone in any time here,” he said.

Yet Dyche, who has won two promotions to the Premier League in his five years at Turf Moor, admits he will leave the club one day.

“Only two things can happen to a manager, you move for a good reason when everyone is in agreement or people get bored with you, you lose and then people want you out,” he said.

“It’s out of my hands. It’s a show of respect that we’re doing some good.”