Leicester City have officially confirmed the appointment of Russell Martin as their new manager, while Wolverhampton Wanderers have unveiled César Peixoto as their head coach, replacing Rob Edwards. Both Midlands clubs suffered relegation last season—Leicester dropping to League One and Wolves falling from the Premier League—and have swiftly moved to restructure their leadership.
Russell Martin Returns to Management
The 40-year-old Martin joins Leicester eight months after his brief and challenging 123-day tenure at Rangers ended. He has signed a contract running until 2029, tasked with leading an immediate return to the Championship following Leicester's shock relegation in the 2025-26 season, which was compounded by off-field issues including a points deduction.
“I’m delighted to be here and excited to begin working with the players and staff,” Martin said. “This is a club with great history, strong support and high expectations. My immediate focus is on the team: building strong relationships, setting clear standards and creating performances that Leicester City supporters can connect with.”
Leicester’s chief football officer, Jon Rudkin, praised Martin, known for his possession-based style, as “a strong leader, a clear decision-maker and someone with a defined way of working.” Rudkin added that Martin “is well placed to help us move forward with purpose and direction.”
Wolves Turn to César Peixoto
Meanwhile, Wolves have appointed César Peixoto from Portuguese top-flight side Gil Vicente, where he finished sixth in the Primeira Liga in 2025-26. He replaces Rob Edwards, who was dismissed last week after a poor campaign that saw Wolves finish bottom of the Premier League with just 20 points. Edwards had replaced Vítor Pereira in November and was reportedly instrumental in signing Raúl Jiménez and Kieran Trippier.
Peixoto’s appointment continues a trend of Portuguese managers at Wolves, with four of the last seven head coaches hailing from Portugal. “I’m proud to be here at this big, historic club in England,” Peixoto said. “It’s a big opportunity for me and I’m prepared to do everything to put Wolves where it belongs in the Premier League.”
Wolves chair Nathan Shi commented: “Throughout our discussions with César, it became clear very quickly that he possesses many of the qualities we believe are important for the future of this club.”
