Nigel Pearson has dismissed links with the vacant Leicester City managerial position by stating "that ship has sailed".
The Bristol City manager, at the time of writing, remains 12/1 with bookmakers to return to his former club following the sacking of Brendan Rodgers on Sunday. Only six names have shorter odds to take the job as they face the serious threat of relegation from the Premier League.
Pearson, who has a contract with the Robins until the end of next season, is highly regarded among the fanbase at the Foxes following his previous success there. He won promotion from League One in his first spell in charge, returning to the club 17 months later where he would later achieve Premier League football, finishing top of the Championship with 102 points.
He then masterminded Leicester's great escape during their debut campaign in the top flight, winning seven of their final nine games on the back of no wins in eight games. After leaving his position in the summer, they continued their momentum into the following season under Claudio Ranieri, winning the Premier League title as 5000/1 outsiders.
Leicester's defeat at home to Aston Villa on Tuesday leaves them second from bottom, just two points adrift of safety with nine games left to go.
"I’ve managed them twice, I’ve managed the King Power's team (OH Leuven) in Belgium too," Pearson said in his pre-match press conference ahead of Friday's trip to Stoke City. "I really enjoyed working for them. The ship has sailed and I’m really happy to be here doing the job that I am doing here.
"They will be looking to make a progression from where they are now. Revisiting things from the past isn’t always the way forward, let’s be honest. I’m fully committed to what I am doing here, it is as simple as that."
Leicester, who are renowned for giving managers time, could be looking for a short-term appointment between now and the end of the season to help ensure their top-flight status. Fellow relegation candidates Crystal Palace recently appointed 74-year-old Roy Hodgson, who beat the Foxes in his first game back in the dugout.
If Pearson was unemployed it may have been a different scenario, but it would always seem highly unlikely that he would leave the project he has built at City behind even with the lure of Premier League football. Pearson has played a major part in changing the culture at the club, reducing the wage bill and bringing through academy players.
There have been 12 managerial departures in the Premier League this season, a new record, with Everton, Southampton, Leeds, Wolves and Aston Villa all making changes under the threat of relegation.
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