Leicester chairman Milan Mandaric has revealed his doubts over Martin Allen's ability to lead the Foxes to "the top of the mountain" were behind his sacking.

Days of speculation culminated yesterday with Allen parting company with the club he managed for just three games following his appointment this summer.

The club admitted there had been a "breakdown in the relationship" between Allen and Mandaric, believed to have stemmed from differences of opinion over the signing of veteran striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

Allen's sacking came less than 24 hours after on-loan defender Clive Clarke suffered a cardiac arrest during a Carling Cup clash with Nottingham Forest.

But with Clarke seemingly now stable in hospital, Mandaric claims he can start looking for Allen's replacement.

"It was a hard last 24 hours for me relating to Clive and I'm so relieved he is better," Mandaric said. "Now I will make this decision because time is of the essence and we are going to start (looking) for a replacement very soon."