adminGary Rowett has suggested he may have taken disciplinary action against Harry Winks for his argument with fans if he were Leicester City manager long term.
Rowett started Winks in Friday night’s 1–1 draw with Millwall, despite knowing the decision would be unpopular with supporters.
Winks had previously been filmed arguing with fans outside Fratton Park after Leicester’s defeat to Portsmouth the week before, and since then, sections of the fanbase have turned against him.
He was booed during a substitute appearance earlier in the week when Leicester were relegated, and again on Friday, where he was jeered every time he touched the ball in the first half.
Explaining his decision, Rowett said Winks was the only natural option available in that deep midfield role, with Jordan James not fully fit and Joe Aribo unavailable.
He said:
> “The challenge we had tonight is that he’s our only number six you can play through the lines with and keep possession.
My job is to pick the strongest team I have available. I understand it wasn’t a popular choice.”
Rowett also hinted that things would be handled differently in the long term compared to a short-term role.
> “If I’m here long term, certain cultural things wouldn’t happen anyway. But when you need to finish the season, you have to make those decisions from a footballing perspective.”
When asked to clarify what he meant by “cultural things”, he added:
> “I’m here until the end of the season. I’m not going to start disciplining a player when I’m not going to be his manager next season. It’s more complicated than people think.”
Winks still has a year left on his Leicester contract, with an extension clause previously triggered after the club’s promotion from the Championship in 2024.
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Abdulhafiz Teslim
