Chris Sutton has claimed that Leeds United's relegation rivals Leicester City are in "absolute panic" over their decision to sack Brendan Rodgers.
Former Norwich and Aston Villa boss Dean Smith will take charge of the Foxes for the rest of the season following Rodgers' departure on April 2. A record 13 managerial changes have taken place in the Premier League this season as nine teams still find themselves battling against relegation with just eight games left to play.
Smith's first fixture in charge will see his side travel to reigning champions Manchester City on Saturday as they look to break their record of losing seven of their last eight Premier League matches. Ahead of that game, Sutton has stated that the club have not covered themselves in glory with their decision to part ways with Rodgers.
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"The owner has made such a mess of this," Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club before Smith was appointed "It is staggering what has happened.
"They sacked an experienced manager with a good track record, things haven't gone well this season, but I do not understand how this situation has come about.
"We had the international break where, if they were not happy with Rodgers then, they should have sacked him and brought a replacement in. I thought in this multi-billion dollar industry that clubs plan for all circumstances, so if a manager has to go they would have a list of ready-made replacements - Leicester haven't.
"They have made it up as they have gone along and it is absolute panic."
A new manager 'bounce' is often expected, as Crystal Palace have seen under Roy Hodgson, but Sutton believes that a similar outcome will not happen with Leicester.
"Leicester are bang in trouble and it doesn't really matter who comes in," he added. "If you are a Leicester owner you will hope they have the Roy Hodgson effect, but it doesn't really work like that. I really fear for them."
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