New Leicester boss Pearson sets sights on immediate Championship return

Pearson, 44, was named as the sixth manager of the Foxes in 16 months this morning and will take charge of the club's first ever season in the third tier of English football.  

And while admitting that getting out of League One at the first attempt will not be easy the former Southampton boss is keen to deliver.  

He said: 'I am absolutely delighted to be here. The club has gone through a very difficult period of its history but it's a fabulous opportunity for me.  

I'm the boss: Nigel Pearson will announced as the new Leicester City manager.

'My job now is to get this club back into the Championship. The expectation is there and I will deal with that. We need to deliver and we have to drive the club forward.  

'I am looking forward to getting stuck into the job because there is a lot of scope for this club to redevelop.  

'When clubs go through difficult times people get opportunities and it's up to me to take this one.  

'We will take it one step at a time but we have to bounce back at the first opportunity. It is a tough league but I do believe that the infrastructure is here and we have the resources to get back up. That is why I am here.'

Pearson successfully steered Southampton away from the drop in the Championship last month with victory in the final game of the season, ironically confirming Leicester's fate.

But the former Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday defender believes that he needs to create a winning culture at the Walkers Stadium to turn the club around.  

He said: 'It's come quickly for me. My last job ended abruptly but that's football and I don't want to dwell on that.  

'The last four months at Southampton have been a good experience for me but I've moved on and I'm at a place where I am wanted.  

'The demands of the fans are to get straight back into the Championship but unfortunately the realism of the situation is we are where we are.  

'I will review everything at the club but ultimately it is about creating a culture here where people want to be successful and get us back to the Championship.  

'There needs to be that desire to achieve at the club from the players through to the staff.  

'There are no firm decisions made on players' futures at this time. I fully expect it to be a difficult season but it's a great challenge for us all.'  

Chairman Milan Mandaric had made MK Dons boss Paul Ince his first choice but after being denied permission to speak to the former England captain he moved for Pearson.  

Mandaric insisted Pearson had the will to achieve and last longer in the post than predecessors Rob Kelly, Nigel Worthington, Martin Allen, Gary Megson and Ian Holloway. 

Mandaric said: 'During the process of interviewing I met a lot of good and qualified people but from the first time I met Nigel I knew he was our man.  

'His integrity, his presence and his knowledge of the game are second to none. It is going to be a hard job and isn't going to happen overnight.

'We gave the fans a bitter pill to swallow last season but I have a warrior here now who will drive us forward."