David Moyes on Claudio Ranieri's dismissal and why Sunderland have steered clear of that path

The Italian was dismissed on Thursday night with the Foxes spiralling towards the bottom of the table, yet to score in the league in 2017.

Some of the squad are said to be keen to see Nigel Pearson return to the helm, but former Manchester City and Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini, who had a spell at Filbert Street as a player, is the heavy favourite with the bookmakers.

Moyes feels the timing of the dismissal, the day after a spirited second half showing against Jorge Sampaoli's superb Sevilla side, was strange and is hoping that his side can benefit from a lack of leadership int he Midlands.

Moyes said: "I was surprised, the timing for me was wrong. We’re not privy to what’s going on behind the scenes, whether there’s something else going on. But you lose 2-1 at Seville in the Champions League, which was a great result considering the qualities of Seville. I’d have said, it’s a tough job Leicester but the quality of the players they’ve got, what they’ve done this year would allow the manager at least to get to the end of the season."

Ranieri's dismissal means that Sunderland and Middlesbrough are the only teams in the bottom six and facing a relegation fight not to dismiss their manager this season.

Hull City and Swansea City have enjoyed a real upsurge in form under Marco Silva and Paul Clement respectively, the Swans surging four points clear of the bottom three.

Crystal Palace, however, have won only once under Sam Allardyce as the former Black Cats boss struggles to make his mark at Selhurst Park.

Removing the manager before the final run-in is a tactic that was worked well for Sunderland in previous seasons, invariably leading to a short-term lift in application and concentration on the field.

The improvements have never been long-lasting, however, and Moyes is unconvinced of the benefits of a dug-out switch.

Ranieri's departure from the King Power Stadium leaves a vacuum of leadership and whoever takes the post faces an unhappy squad, a daunting fixture schedule and a side confused as to their direction.

Moyes is hoping that the situation could spiral, aiding Sunderland's attempt to find stability and survive without a change of their own.

He said: "I feel that, it’s always seen that sometimes change makes a difference, I don’t know if that’s always the case. I’m hoping they become more rudderless, Leicester, and hopefully that helps us. You never know in football and I’m just disappointed to see Claudio Ranieri lose his job."

"I think so [holding your nerve the right thing to do]. The difference with this club is that it has had lots of changes, and I’m not too sure it’s lots of changes that this club needs again. Maybe other clubs have not had so many turnarounds, but ultimately we’re in the results business, I’m in the results business, and we need to get better results, I’m sure."

Leicester face a race against time if they wish to make an appointment before their daunting home tie with Liverpool on Monday night.

Just one point above the drop zone, the new manager could find his side in the bottom three when they arrive. They face a pivotal home game with Hull City next weekend. Sunderland travel to the King Power on April 4th.