Roberto Mancini, who has been "sounded out" for the Leicester job, according to Sky sources, on Friday morning paid tribute to his "friend" Claudio Ranieri.
Ranieri was dismissed on Thursday night, just nine months after leading Leicester to a fairy tale Premier League title.
His assistant coach, Craig Shakespeare, is expected to be in charge for their next match which is against Liverpool in the Premier League on Monday night, live on Sky Sports.
But City's owners have wasted little time in looking for a permanent replacement, and Sky Sports News HQ understands they have already "sounded out" Italian Mancini.
And on Friday morning, Mancini tweeted: "I am sorry for my friend Ranieri. He will be in the history of LCFC, in the hearts of Leicester fans and all football lovers."
Mancini, who spent a short spell on loan at Leicester as a player in 2001, is a Premier League title-winning manager himself, having won it with Manchester City in 2012.
No formal discussion have taken place, with Leicester for now just finding out if Mancini would be interested.
Mancini, 52, has been out of work since leaving Inter Milan last summer.
We understand City have also made contact with "other possibilities" to replace Ranieri.