By Ben Dinnery

4th Oct, 2022 | 11:20am

Expert: Leicester City have just lost 'unsung hero' Paul McGuinness - 'he's their backbone'

Leicester City have just lost one of their “unsung heroes” in Paul McGuiness following his decision to quit the club for family reasons.

That is the view of medical expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in injury and data analysis.

As relayed by Training Ground Guru on 23 September, McGuiness has stepped down from his role as head of player development after just under a year in the job.

He has left in order to care for his father, former Man United manager Wilf McGuiness, who has dementia.

Dinnery saluted McGuiness’s decision and highlighted how staffers like him are the “backbone” of a successful side.

“This is not something that happened overnight,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.

“His father was diagnosed around 10 years ago and it has been a steady decline in health.

“There is a life away from football. There are a lot of underappreciated, unsung heroes in the backroom staff.

“The players and managers are the ones who make the headlines and earn the big bucks. But for the staff behind the scenes, there are long hours and a long time spent away from home, prioritising your work over your family.

“These guys are the backbone of successful sides.

“Family has to take preference. It’s a decision that, if it was presented to me somewhere down the line, I’d like to think I’d take that precious time with my family.”

In other news, Crystal Palace and Leicester City set sights on Sheffield United star Rhys Norrington-Davies.