Warnock snub as Allen is offered Leicester job

Leicester made an official approach to the League Two side yesterday and Allen will officially take over at the Walkers Stadium later this week.

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He is bringing in his first-team coach Dave Hockaday and assistant manager Adrian Whitbread as part of the managerial team that Mandaric hopes will mastermind a promotion charge next season.

Warnock believed the job was his after walking out of relegated Sheffield United last week and he was interviewed on Friday but Mandaric, who also considered Macclesfield boss Paul Ince, has instead opted for one of the game's brightest young managers in Allen.

Warnock had been offered the Pompey job last season, when Mandaric was still chairman at Fratton Park, but turned it down at the last minute and that decision left a sour taste which has cost him the chance of taking charge at Leicester.

Sportsmail understands that Mandaric was more impressed with Allen's hunger, drive and determination. Leicester hope to announce the appointment this week, but it is on hold until they thrash out a compensation package with MK Dons.

Allen, who has taken teams to the play-offs in each of the past three years, started out as a coach at Reading under Alan Pardew, and the former West Ham midfielder has been making a name for himself in the lower leagues.

Mandaric sacked Rob Kelly when Leicester were in danger of being dragged into the relegation dogfight at the foot of the Championship and he appointed Nigel Worthington on a caretaker basis.

Worthington kept them out of danger and was also interviewed for the full-time position, but Mandaric opted for the ambitious Allen.