Leicester City head coach Marti Cifuentes has issued a strong and heartfelt response to furious Leicester supporters who have been calling him “the wrong man for the job” following the team’s disappointing 2–1 defeat to Portsmouth last weekend. The Spanish manager, who took charge just weeks ago after the sacking of Steve Cooper, has come under early fire from sections of the fanbase frustrated by the Foxes’ poor run of results.
However, in an emotional post-match statement that has quickly gone viral across social media, Cifuentes broke his silence — offering what he described as “a justified and honest explanation” for the unexpected loss. According to him, a series of unforeseen events and internal challenges struck the team just hours before kickoff, derailing Leicester’s preparation and performance.
“It’s easy to judge from the outside,” Cifuentes began. “But what happened behind the scenes was beyond our control. Several players suffered last-minute illness and fitness concerns, forcing us to change our tactical setup completely on the morning of the match. That’s not an excuse — it’s the reality.”
Sources within the club have since confirmed that two starting defenders and one key midfielder were ruled out at the last minute due to illness, leaving the coaching staff scrambling for replacements. The sudden disruption meant Leicester entered the game with an untested backline and limited attacking options, something that Portsmouth exploited brilliantly in the second half.
Cifuentes went on to emphasize that building a winning mentality takes time, especially for a side that has gone through managerial upheaval and squad instability. “We are rebuilding not just tactics, but confidence and identity,” he said. “This is not an overnight process. I understand the fans’ frustration — they love this club deeply — but I assure them that my vision will bring results.”
Despite the loss, many football analysts have echoed Cifuentes’s sentiments, noting that Leicester’s statistics under his brief tenure show signs of tactical improvement. The team has created more scoring chances and shown greater midfield cohesion, even if the final results have not yet reflected their efforts.
Still, fan reaction remains divided. Some Leicester supporters on social media have rallied behind their new boss, urging patience and unity, while others have continued to question his suitability for Premier League survival. “We’ve heard it all before,” one frustrated fan posted. “But we need results, not explanations.”
Cifuentes, however, remains defiant and optimistic. “We will respond,” he vowed. “This team has character, and once we overcome these internal challenges, people will see what Leicester City truly represents. I stand by my players and staff — and I believe in this project.”
As Leicester prepare for their next league clash, all eyes will be on how Cifuentes and his men bounce back from the Portsmouth defeat. One thing is certain — the Spaniard is not backing down, and he’s ready to fight both on and off the pitch to prove he is the right man for the job.
