Foxes short-list Gills manager

Peter Taylor: Steered Gillingham to the First Division

Leicester City have confirmed that they are considering Gillingham boss Peter Taylor as a replacement for departed manager Martin O'Neill.

Foxes chairman John Elsom said Taylor was one of the front runners to take over from O'Neill, who joined Celtic last week.

Elsom is believed to have spoken to the Gillingham boss before he flew out for a holiday in Portugal, although it is not thought the discussion was conclusive.

"We had an interview on Sunday with one of the major contenders and I have further interviews over the next two or three days," Elsom told the official Leicester City website.

"Peter Taylor is certainly one of the people in contention for the position.

It would be helpful if the new manager is not unlike his predecessor

Foxes chairman John Elsom

"I am certainly hoping that we will have drawn a conclusion before the end of the week."

Others linked to the post include former Wimbledon boss Joe Kinnear and current players Steve Walsh and Tony Cottee.

Elsom said: "I think it is fair to say that the press have got some of the names right, but there are one or two other names that they have not quite spotted yet.

"I think it is important for us to have as much continuity for the players as possible, so therefore it would be helpful if the new manager is not unlike his predecessor.

"It is more than just the training really, it's the special and unique way Leicester City has been run in recent years, which we want to try and continue."

Taylor has not yet signed his new contract with Gillingham, who recently progressed to the First Division via the play-offs.

The Foxes have long pursued a policy of recruiting new managers from outside the Premiership, having brought in Brian Little (Darlington), Mark McGhee (Reading) and O'Neill (Norwich) in recent years.