Leicester City downfall: How did it happen?

Leicester City's relegation to the Championship is a shocking turn of events for a club that achieved great success in recent years. 

The Foxes won the Premier League title in 2016, lifted the FA Cup in 2021, and reached the semi-finals of a European competition as recently as last season. The speed of their decline is astounding, and it highlights the dangers of chasing dreams without considering the reality.

Unlike many relegated clubs, Leicester cannot blame a lack of ambition from their owners, the Srivaddhanaprabha family, and management. They have aimed to challenge the "Big Six" clubs in English football and close the gap on them. 

They have achieved some success, finishing in the top five twice and winning the Premier League. However, their obsession with European qualification and the financial benefits it brings has led to complacency. They never truly considered relegation as a possibility.

We did our job on Filbert Way today, but our latest Premier League chapter comes to an end.

— Leicester City (@LCFC) May 28, 2023

Leicester's downfall can be attributed to several factors. They have made significant investments in player contracts, training facilities, and stadium projects, funded by loans secured against future TV revenue. 

Their aim was to secure regular European football, but the increased expenditure has left little room for failure. 

The recruitment strategy has also faltered, with the inability to move on surplus players and the failure to cash in on those entering the final year of their contracts, such as Youri Tielemans, Ayoze Perez and Caglar Soyuncu. This affected their ability to refresh the squad and strengthen it when needed.

@Getty / ADRIAN DENNIS

Manager Brendan Rodgers played a role in Leicester's decline as well. He signed and pushed for players who he later no longer wanted or rated. The struggles to push for more for players like Harvey Barnes and Soyuncu were real.

The negative tone earlier in the season, where he said that Leicester should alter their expectations and players need to enter survival mode to reach 40 points to avoid relegation didn't go down well in the club and fans.

The decision to move on goalkeeper and skipper Kasper Schmeichel, not adequately replace him, with vice-captain Jonny Evans injured and Jamie Vardy not having the same influence had a negative impact on the team's performance and leadership.

Despite a poor start to the season, Rodgers was given time by the club's hierarchy, who still believed in him. However, the situation became critical, and he was eventually sacked in April. 

The subsequent appointment of Dean Smith and his coaching staff could not turn the team's fortunes around in such a short time.

Leicester now face a period of reflection and must make the right choices to regroup and return to the Premier League. Key decisions, such as selecting the right manager to lead a squad rebuild, will be crucial for their success in the Championship and their aspirations of returning to the top flight.

Nine seasons, 517 goals, one Premier League crown

Heartbreak for the Leicester players and fans on the final day of the season

Their latest Premier League chapter comes to a close - but it will forever be written into Premier League history 👏 pic.twitter.com/JCkVJg8mbG

— Premier League (@premierleague) May 28, 2023