Leicester refuse to be rushed over Mandaric offer

Leicester City have confirmed that discussions with Milan Mandaric are continuing as the former Portsmouth chairman pursues a takeover of the Championship club.

Mandaric tabled an offer of £25m last week, but the Leicester board has also courted interest from a number of other potential investors. Board members have repeated their claim that they will not be rushed into any decision on the club's future.

A club statement read: "Discussions with Milan Mandaric are continuing in relation to the offer he has made for the club. But integral to the decision-making process is that the short, medium and long-term best interests of the club are safeguarded at all times.

"Mr Mandaric's bid is one of a number of options which the club is currently considering. The board appreciates supporters' desire for detailed information but the content of all discussions must remain confidential at this time."

Elsewhere, Gareth Southgate will find out today whether he can continue as Middlesbrough manager.

Today's meeting of Premiership chairmen will discuss a rule change that could give new managers more time to move into the job. The Premier League board is to propose an amendment to the current rule that states all new top-flight managers must have a Uefa Pro-Licence. The change, if ratified, will allow new managers who have begun the process of gaining the coaching qualification a period of grace to complete the necessary course.

Southgate, who was a full-time player up until the time he was appointed as Steve McClaren's replacement in June, is not qualified but has a B Licence. Southgate needs to pass the A Licence before he can begin the Pro-Licence course and an initial 12-week dispensation due to expire.

Keith Lamb, the Middlesbrough chief executive, will attend the meeting, though he attends the Premier League gatherings as a matter of course. Even if the chairmen accept the rule change, Boro could still be forced to restructure their management team. The Premier League will continue to discuss Southgate's situation after today's meeting but Boro could still be left having to reorganise.

Both the assistant manager Malcolm Crosby and the first-team coach Steve Round have the Uefa Pro-Licence and it might be an option to promote one of them into a general manager's role while Southgate completes his training.