Leicester’s bid to avoid relegation from the Premier League hit a historic low, while Manchester United’s manager has made a sobering concession.
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‘HUGE STEP BACK’ FOR FOXES IN HISTORIC LOW
Leicester’s bid to avoid relegation from the Premier League hit a historic low as Brentford cruised to a 4-0 win at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side would have moved out of the relegation zone with a victory, but instead they remain two points from safety.
Yoane Wissa, Bryan Mbeumo and Christian Norgaard all scored for Brentford in a wretched first half for second-bottom Leicester.
Fabio Carvalho netted in the closing stages and the Foxes were booed off after a 10th defeat in their last 11 league games that added to the pressure on the under-fire Van Nistelrooy.
Underlining the depth of their struggles, Leicester made unwanted history as the first ever team in the English top-flight to lose six successive home games without scoring in any of them.
“You have to acknowledge it’s a huge step back. There was hope after recent performances, the beginning of the game was hopeful with three chances,” Van Nistelrooy said.
“After the bright start we were never in the game again and at half-time the game was done. Everyone is going home gutted with the loss and disappointed with the levels we showed.” With just 12 games left to avoid relegation, Leicester are in severe danger of an immediate return to the Championship.
Enzo Maresca quit to take charge of Chelsea after masterminding Leicester’s promotion last season and the club’s Thai owners have failed to find an adequate replacement for the Italian.
Steve Cooper was sacked after just five months in charge and former Manchester United striker Van Nistelrooy has fared no better.
Leicester have won just four of their 26 league games this season, with Van Nistelrooy contributing only two of those victories in 15 matches.
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 21: Victor Kristiansen of Leicester City reacts after Bryan Mbeumo of Brentford (not pictured) during the Premier League match between Leicester City FC and Brentford FC at The King Power Stadium on February 21, 2025 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
MOYES ‘DOING A BETTER JOB’ THAN UNITED BOSS
Ruben Amorim admits David Moyes is doing a better job reviving Everton than the under-fire Manchester United boss has been able to achieve in his short spell at Old Trafford.
Amorim will go head-to-head with Everton boss Moyes on Sunday as he looks to drag United out of their shocking decline.
The former Sporting Lisbon boss has overseen just four wins and eight defeats in the Premier League since replacing Erik ten Hag in November.
Moyes, who was sacked by United in 2014 after less than a season in charge, has already matched Amorim’s win total in just six league games since returning to Everton in January.
Everton, in 14th place, are above 15th-placed United in the table ahead of the clubs’ final ever meeting at Goodison Park before the Toffees move to a new stadium next season.
Asked why Everton improved their fortunes with a new boss unlike United, Amorim said: “Simple thing. David Moyes is doing a better job than me. It’s quite simple.
“And then small things like winning one game, winning two games, that belief. The pressure is also not the same.
“I don’t know but I think we have to give merit to the players of Everton and especially to the coach of Everton and that’s all. We need to do the same.” It was a candid admission from Amorim, who has previously acknowledged that Ten Hag and United interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, now in charge at Leicester, did better than him at Old Trafford this season.
Moyes was sacked by United after just 10 months in charge following a 2-0 loss at Everton and a defeat this weekend would increase the pressure on Amorim, whose approach has reportedly left some players unconvinced.
“I don’t feel it in training,” Amorim said. “If you watch our games sometimes you can have that sensation, but I’m not worried about that.
“If they are not convinced, I don’t feel that. It’s my job to change their minds and I’m quite good on that.” Amorim insists he has no regrets taking a job he had initially preferred to wait for until the summer, allowing him to finish the campaign with Sporting and start afresh.
“I think that is clear, it’s common sense, when you start a season it’s completely different,” he said.
“You have time to think things, to feel the players, to have pre-season, to change things that you feel are necessary in a team, in a squad. That is clear.
“That was the choice, so I don’t want to talk like that. I had my reasons to ask for that and I have the most important reasons to accept the job.
“I knew it will be tough and the risk. I know that but it’s Manchester United and you cannot say no.” Asked if he ever questioned whether it was the right decision to join United, he said: “No. We make a decision and then we go all the way. Of course, sometimes it’s really frustrating.”
Souttar suffered the injury in the final moments of Sheffield United’s 2-0 loss to Burnley in the Championship on Friday morning (AEDT).
The 26-year-old was sent for scans which confirmed the worst.
The incident occurred after Souttar took a heavy touch and lunged to clear the ball. It was immediately clear he was in discomfort and had to be helped off the pitch at Bramall Lane.
“He is absolutely gutted,” Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield after their 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion on Monday morning.
“Devastated for him, he loved it here.
“He has been a great player to work with; great personality, great character.
“Big disappointment to lose the big fella because he has been incredible.”
Sheffield United and Australia’s Harry Souttar.Source: Getty Images
It is the second serious injury setback for the towering centre back in three years. In November 2021, Souttar ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his knee during a World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia in Sydney.
Remarkably, he returned to action with former club Stoke City just before the World Cup in Qatar 12-months later, playing a starring role as the Socceroos stunned the world with a run to the round of sixteen.
“Thanks to everyone at Sheffield United,” Souttar said on his Instagram account.
“Amazing club with great people.
“Unfortunately, that’s me out for a while but I wish everyone at the club all the best for the rest of the season and beyond.
“Once a blade always a blade.”
This latest injury is a cruel blow. Souttar moved to Sheffield United on loan after struggling for game time at Premier League battlers Leicester City.
Wilder had placed significant trust in the 6-foot-7-inch centre-half, with Souttar starting 21 of Sheffield United’s 23 matches in the second-tier Championship before his injury.
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic. Picture: Michael KleinSource: News Corp Australia
His absence also creates a significant headache for Socceroos coach Tony Popovic.
With four crucial matches remaining in the third round of World Cup qualifying, the Socceroos currently sit second in Group C. Maintaining that position will secure automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
The Socceroos face Indonesia in Sydney in March before an away game against China five days later. A clash with current group leaders Japanin Perth and a trip to face regional heavyweights Saudi Arabia awaits in June.
Popovic will now have to fill a Souttar sized hole in the heart of his defence for all those fixtures.
He’s also unable to call on 21-year-old centre back Alessandro Circati, who ruptured his ACL during a training session with Italian Serie A side Parma in late September.
It leaves Cameron Burgess, Kye Rowles and Hayden Matthews as the most likely options moving forward for Popovic.
Burgess is starting regularly for Ipswich Town in the Premier League while Rowles is doing the same with Hearts in the Scottish Premiership.
However, both are left-footers and it remains to be seen how that could impact any potential partnership.
Kye Rowles celebrates scoring a goal against Lebanon with Jackson Irvine.Source: Getty Images
Matthews is right-footed and continues to grow in stature at Sydney FC.
The 20-year-old only signed his first professional contract earlier this year, but Popovic not only handed Matthews his Socceroos debut during the last international window in November but named him in the starting side in their last start 2-2 draw with Bahrain.
Souttar will be desperately hoping the Australians can navigate the next four fixtures and secure their spot at the 2026 World Cup.
Even a 12-month recovery should see him back on the park with six months to go before the tournament gets underway.
The defender has left Sheffield and headed back to Leicester to start rehabilitation.
He is contracted to the Foxes until the end of the 2028 season giving him time to rebuild his career once back to full fitness.
Ruud van Nistelrooy savoured his first match in charge of Leicester with a 3-1 Premier League win over West Ham, while Crystal Palace edged Ipswich 1-0 on Tuesday.
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Jamie Vardy, Bilal El Khannouss and Patson Daka got the goals as Van Nistelrooy enjoyed a dream start to his new role shortly after his departure from Manchester United.
“On a long-term basis we know the performances need to get better. But the spirit and how we want to do things we saw today because, if not, the Premier League is too brutal,” said Van Nistelrooy.
The Dutchman said he had been “astonished” by the number of offers he received after a four-game spell as interim United boss, which included two wins over Leicester.
A lethal finisher in his playing days, Van Nistelrooy watched on approvingly as Vardy opened the scoring after just 99 seconds at the King Power.
The 37-year-old had initially been flagged offside, but a VAR review showed he was clearly on for his fifth goal of the season.
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 03: Jamie Vardy of Leicester City interacts with Ruud van Nistelrooy, Manager of Leicester City, as he is substituted during the Premier League match between Leicester City FC and West Ham United FC at The King Power Stadium on December 03, 2024 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Defeat ramps up the scrutiny of Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui after a seventh defeat in 14 Premier League games.
The visitors enjoyed the majority of possession and had 31 shots to Leicester’s eight but failed to make it count.
“A frustrating night because we deserved much more today,” said Lopetegui. “Normally we have to win this match but we didn’t because we didn’t score.” West Ham did have a goal controversially ruled out when Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen punched the ball into his own net and was relieved to be awarded a foul due to minimal contact from Tomas Soucek.
Conor Coady also cleared off the line from Crysencio Summerville in the second half.
But Leicester remained a threat on the counter-attack and doubled their lead when El Khannouss coolly stroked home Kasey McAteer’s pass.
Daka then blasted in to make it 3-0 before Niclas Fuellkrug netted a late consolation with his first West Ham goal.
Victory lifts Leicester up to 15th, four points above the relegation zone, and within two points of 14th-placed West Ham.
– Guehi defies FA –
Jean-Philippe Mateta scored the only goal at Portman Road as Palace won the battle of two more sides at the bottom end of the table.
The Frenchman produced a classy finish from Eberechi Eze’s pass on the hour mark to secure the Eagles’ first away win of the season.
Palace pull three points clear of the bottom three, while Ipswich remain second from bottom and winless at home on their return to the top flight.
However, Palace captain Marc Guehi is now at risk of a suspension after defying a Football Association warning over displaying religious messages.
As part of the “Rainbow Laces” campaign to show support for the LGBTQ+ community, Premier League captains are wearing rainbow-coloured armbands.
IPSWICH, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 03: Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace acknowledges the fans, whilst wearing a rainbow coloured Captains Armband which reads “Jesus hearts You” after the Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Crystal Palace FC at Portman Road on December 03, 2024 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Guehi’s armband bore the message “I love Jesus” during their 1-1 draw against Newcastle, prompting the FA to contact Guehi and Palace and remind them of rules forbidding the display of religious messages.
The England defender doubled down on his message with “Jesus loves you” displayed on his rainbow-coloured armband.
“Everyone now is about integration, no discrimination and Marc as well,” said Palace boss Oliver Glasner.
“He has his opinion and we accept and respect every opinion.” Ipswich captain Sam Morsy, who also caused controversy by opting not to wear the rainbow armband against Nottingham Forest at the weekend, once again wore a regular armband.
His club issued a statement on Monday saying he chose not to wear the rainbow armband due to his religious beliefs.
Carney Chukwuemeka rescued Chelsea with a stoppage-time strike that inspired a 4-2 win over 10-man Leicester in an FA Cup quarter-final thriller on Sunday.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side were fortunate to survive a stirring fightback from Championship promotion chasers Leicester amid a mutinous atmosphere at Stamford Bridge.
Chukwuemeka netted in the closing minutes to save Chelsea from the embarrassment of being forced into extra-time.
Noni Madueke added Chelsea’s fourth to ensure the angry fans who booed Pochettino in the second half were silenced, at least for now.
For the sixth time in the last eight years, the Blues have advanced to the last four in the FA Cup.
But this was hardly a triumphant afternoon for Blues boss Pochettino, whose inconsistent team blew the two-goal half-time lead given to them by Marc Cucurella and Cole Palmer.
In between those strikes, Raheem Sterling missed a penalty and Axel Disasi gave Leicester hope with a farcical own goal early in the second half.
When Stephy Mavididi scored an eye-catching equaliser, Chelsea were in turmoil once again as the hapless Sterling earned the wrath of the home support.
But Leicester’s Callum Doyle was sent off for a professional foul on Nicolas Jackson, setting the stage for the Blues’ late revival.
Chelsea have failed to win a single domestic trophy since their most recent FA Cup triumph six years ago.
Sterling took a penalty over Cole Palmer but had his effort saved. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
The west Londoners are languishing in 11th place in the Premier League and former Tottenham and Southampton boss Pochettino is yet to win silverware in England.
Under mounting pressure amid a troubled first season in charge, Pochettino revealed this week that some of Chelsea’s young players endured a sleepless night before their League Cup final defeat against Liverpool in February.
Making amends by winning the FA Cup would buy Pochettino some much-needed breathing space.
Chelsea had taken the lead in the 13th minute when Nicolas Jackson accelerated past Jannik Vestergaard into the Leicester area before whipping over a low cross that Cucurella converted from close-range.
It was the Spanish defender’s first goal since joining Chelsea from Brighton in August 2022.
In the 25th minute, Cole Palmer surged down the right flank and crossed to the edge of area, where Sterling was clattered by Abdul Fatawu as he prepared to shoot.
Palmer has been taking Chelsea’s penalties this season and Sterling’s decision to grab the ball proved misguided.
A frustrating season for the 29-year-old, who was left out of the England squad again this week, showed no signs of abating as he fluffed his lines with a weak penalty that was easily saved by Jakub Stolarczyk.
Sterling was booed off by a section of Chelsea fans. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)Source: AFP
It was a decision savaged by Chelsea fans as well as former Arsenal defender Martin Keown.
“It certainly is (a shocker), one of the players that you look to in this new generation of Chelsea players to be assured and he hits it straight down the middle,” Keown said on BBC’s commentary.
“There’s no quality in that at all. No real purpose, no power, comfortable for the keeper.”
Sterling also fluffed his lines on a free kick from just outside the area, sending the ball high and wide into the stands.
Keown was equally scathing of Sterling’s free kick attempt.
“Do you know that kind of says everything about the Chelsea performance today because we’ve got Palmer there,” Keown said.
“You’re waiting for Cole Palmer to maybe hit this into the back of the net and then we see this. That’s a ridiculous effort isn’t it.
“Obviously Sterling is doing his best there but Cole Palmer has to take that free-kick, end of.”
To his credit, Sterling didn’t hide and he set up Palmer’s goal on the stroke of half-time.
Sterling, who joined Chelsea only last season in a £47.5 ($AUD92) million deal raced into the area and delivered a low cross that Palmer deftly slotted home from close-range.
Chelsea left it late but eventually secured the win. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)Source: AFP
Disasi gave Leicester a lifeline in the 51st minute as the centre-back panicked under pressure from Daka and hacked a misjudged backpass past stunned keeper Robert Sanchez into his own net from 30 yards.
Weaving into the Chelsea area as the anxious Blues defence backed off, Mavididi curled a blistering finish into the top corner in the 62nd minute.
Chelsea thought they had been given a penalty in the 73rd minute when Doyle tripped Jackson.
VAR ruled the offence was just outside the area, but that didn’t save Doyle from a red card.
Sterling was booed by Chelsea fans after a woeful free-kick, while Pochettino also copped it with chants of “you don’t know what you’re doing” when he substituted Mudryk.
Sterling was jeered again when he was taken off, so it was no surprise to see Pochettino punching the air in relief in stoppage-time.
Chukwuemeka produced a cool finish after Palmer’s sublime back-heel teed up the young midfielder.
Madueke put a flattering gloss on the scoreline when his deflected strike dipped under the bar in the final seconds.
Arsenal have cracked the nine-figure mark in their pursuit of Declan Rice, while Tottenham are on the verge of sealing one of Ange Postecoglou’s primary targets.
However, it’s not all good news for Spurs fans as a European heavyweight officially lodged a bid for Harry Kane.
Catch up on the biggest transfer whispers doing the rounds in the latest edition of the Rumour Mill!
GUNNERS SUBMIT BRITISH RECORD FEE AS RICE SAGA TAKES FRESH TWIST
Just a day after Manchester City officially lodged a staggering $AUD171 million bid for West Ham United captain Declan Rice — and had it rejected — the transfer saga has taken another twist.
According to The Athletic, Arsenal have submitted a British record offer worth up to $200 million to the Hammers for Rice.
It is the Gunners’ third bid for the England international and it is hoped this one will finally be accepted as they look to see off competition from the Premier League and European champions.
Rice is Arsenal’s main target of the summer window as Mikel Arteta looks to build his side for another challenge at the Premier League trophy.
Hammers chairman David Sullivan has long resigned himself to losing Rice in the summer but is determined to get a significant transfer fee in return.
Should Rice end up at the Gunners, it would smash the club’s previous transfer record of $131 million which they splashed on Nicolas Pepe in 2019.
Declan Rice is a man in demand. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
EURO GIANTS TEST KANE WATERS
Ange Postecoglou could be about to lose his best player.
The Times report German powerhouse Bayern Munich have submitted a $114 million bid for Harry Kane.
However, the report also claims the bid will fall well short of what Tottenham are asking for the England international and are almost certain to reject it, with the North London outfit holding out for an eye-watering $190 million.
Kane has one year left on his Spurs deal and could walk away for free next summer if he chooses.
It’s why Tottenham could be tempted to cash in on the talismanic striker now, even if he is undeniably the most important player on the club’s books.
Harry Kane’s future is a major talking point this summer. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
SPURS ‘CLOSING IN’ ON NO. 1 TARGET
The wheels are rapidly turning on Tottenham’s pursuit of their key target.
Renowned transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claims Spurs are “closing in” on a deal for Leicester City star James Maddison, with personal terms “100 per cent agreed.”
A $76 million fee has been verbally agreed between the two sides, with the final workings of the payment structure and add-ons still to be thrashed out.
Maddison will be Tottenham’s third arrival of the summer provided everything goes to plan after the club turned Dejan Kulusevski’s loan deal into a permanent one and signed Empoli goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
The 26-year-old moved to Leicester in 2018 and played a vital role in the Foxes securing back-to-back finishes of fifth as well as an FA Cup triumph in 2021.
Ange Postecoglou isn’t even officially Tottenham Hotspurs’ manager for 2023-24 yet but already the Australian’s potential transfer targets are being revealed for the upcoming season.
Postecoglou is in the coming hours set to be named as the new boss at Spurs, who are reeling from an eight-place finish in the Premier League, and a domestic trophy drought that stretches back to the 2008 League Cup.
Now Spurs are also facing the daunting reality of loosing star talisman and gun striker Harry Kane, leaving Postecoglou with a seismic task of rebuilding the European hopefuls.
Needless to say, Postecoglou will need to invest heavily in the transfer market — and three top priorities have reportedly been targeted.
Daily Mirror reports that Brentford keeper David Raya is on the wishlist with veteran captain Hugo Lloris widely expected to leave this summer.
Postecoglou’s attacking style demands a keeper who can play out from the back, and Raya is noted as a skilled ball-player who could fit the bill.
Striking a deal could be tricky, however, with Brentford’s asking price reported by The Sun as £40 million ($75m), whereas Spurs only want to pay £20 (A$37.5m).
Spurs reach ‘verbal agreement’ with Ange | 01:23
Meanwhile, valued at the same price of £40 million is another Spurs target in Leicester midfielder James Maddison.
The Daily Mirror reports that Spurs would be willing to match a rival bid from Newcastle, which is also said to be eager to sign the 26-year-old.
Wolves defender Max Kilman was a third target named in the Mirror report with Postecoglou potentially clearing house at Spurs — Eric Dier and Davinson Sanchez are defenders potentially being forced out the door.
While it’s unclear how much Kilman would cost, his market value is considered to be in the region of £20-25 million (A$37.6m – A$47m).
The Telegraph also reports that Postecoglou’s arrival is expected to trigger a player clear-out with up to seven first-team players on the chopping block.
Among them include Lloris, as well as full back Ivan Perisic and Ryan Sessegnon.
Transfer bids for Ben Davies could also be entertained, while Arnaut Danjuma and Clement Lenglet were also named by the Telegraph report.
Benzema calls time on 14yr Madrid career | 01:05
And the clear-out may not stop there with Giovani Lo Celso, Sergio Reguilon and Harry Winks also potentially heading towards the exit.
The biggest transfer issue facing Postecoglou on arrival, however, is star striker Kane and whether he will be leaving.
Kane is entering the final year of his contract and Spurs will need to sell him now, otherwise it runs the risk of losing him for free at season’s end.
Manchester United led the race to sign Kane, but Real Madrid has since emerged as the front runner as the Spanish giants seek a replacement for Karim Benzema.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy values Kane at over £100 million.
After all, they’d overcome 5000-1 odds to win the Premier League seven years prior, made it to a Champions League quarterfinal in 2017 and hoisted the FA Cup in 2021.
But now, Leicester City must face the cold, harsh reality that now stares them in the face: they are a Championship club.
Despite a 2-1 victory over West Ham United on the final day, a long range pile-driver from Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure rendered the Foxes’ victory irrelevant and condemned the club to relegation.
An off-season of uncertainty awaits, with no fewer than eight players out of contract and a raft of stars like James Maddison and Harvey Barnes set to be sold.
The wage and transfer budget will have to be slashed to comply with the significantly decreased income due to the vast difference in revenue streams between Premier League and Championship clubs.
It still feels remarkable how steep this decline has been.
But it is the culmination of a mess entirely of the club’s doing.
And it is one former Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers saw coming before a ball had been kicked in anger this season.
HOW £50M ‘COLOSSAL DISAPPOINTMENT’ BEGAN INEVITABLE SLIDE
En route to Leicester’s Premier League title in 2016, one aspect of their football department was the envy of not just England, but the world.
The Foxes’ fearsome trio of Jamie Vardy, N’Golo Kante and Riyad Mahrez had been bought for a collective $AUD13 million, highlighting the club’s unrivalled eye for talent.
Although Vardy has remained at the club, Kante and Mahrez were flipped for a combined $142 million.
Over the coming seasons Leicester developed a reputation for selling a player for significant profit and reinvesting it in the squad.
Harry Maguire was bought for $22 million in 2017 and sold two years later to Manchester United for a staggering $142 million, a world record fee for a defender.
Ben Chilwell, who came through Leicester’s academy, moved to Chelsea in the summer of 2019 for $82 million while Wesley Fofana departed to the Blues last August for $131 million.
“For many years, Leicester were a well-run club but, equally, recruitment in recent times has been a colossal disappointment,” Percy wrote.
“The £50 million spent on Patson Daka, Boubakary Soumare and Jannik Vestergaard in the summer of 2021 was a huge waste. Ryan Bertrand also signed as a free agent on big wages and has not started a match since December 21.
Jannik Vestergaard struggled to make his mark at Leicester City. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“After winning the title in 2016, most of the signings who followed were underwhelming.”
The Foxes soon struggled to find homes for players deemed not good enough.
The club also had to deal with players they knew would be out of contract at the end of the 2022/23 season, but no willing buyers — well, at the valuation Leicester wanted for them — emerged.
Percy described the contract farce as “mismanagement on a grand scale”.
Compounding the club’s financial woes further was the vast expenditure on the new training ground at Seagrave.
It is a facility to make most European clubs green with envy, but set the Foxes back an estimated $188 million and is a large and costly operation to continue running.
With the big outlays on players and the training ground and receiving little in the way of transfer fees or European qualification money, it forced Leicester to turn off the money tap for Rodgers.
It was a situation that caught the Northern Irishman, who had already commenced conversations with prospective transfer targets, by serious surprise.
Almost immediately, the goalposts were shifted.
And not for the better.
Leicester City invested heavily in their new training facilities. (Photo by Ashley Allen/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“From that moment onwards, Rodgers adopted a negative tone, talking about a challenging season before a ball was kicked and about the target being 40 points,” The Athletic’s Rob Tanner wrote.
“People around the club were genuinely shocked when he placed the bar so low. That message didn’t match Leicester’s ambition or the surrounds of the media suite at Seagrave where he said it.
“Ultimately, Rodgers has been proven right, but that negativity had already seeped into the psyche at the club, making it a self-fulfilling prophecy.”
In the end, Leicester made just one signing in the summer: centre-back Wout Faes from Reims for $27 million.
But just two players of note went out the exit door in the form of Fofana and former skipper Kasper Schmeichel, who moved to Nice in Ligue 1.
It was the latter’s departure that spun the wheels of relegation faster, even if he was one of the club’s highest earners, with Percy labelling the sale as “a grave mistake.”
The Foxes failed to replace Schmeichel and instead put their faith behind backup goalkeeper Danny Ward, a decision that backfired significantly.
It wouldn’t take long for Leicester’s botched recruitment plans to seep out onto the field as the irreversible decline of the 2015/16 champions set in.
Danny Ward was symbolic of Leicester’s failures this season. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
PROPHETIC RODGERS WARNINGS EVERYONE IGNORED
Rodgers already had plenty of credits in the bank as Leicester boss.
Since his arrival from Celtic in February 2019, he guided the Foxes to consecutive fifth-place finishes and an FA Cup triumph in 2021 before dropping back to eighth last season.
The divide between the manager and Leicester’s passionate fanbase slowly crept in last season.
An embarrassing 4-1 thrashing in the fourth round of the FA Cup at the hands of Nottingham Forest, a Championship outfit last season, was a key moment that highlighted the disconnect.
After the defeat, Rodgers claimed the majority of his team “had achieved everything they can” in what was yet another prophetic call from the manager.
If anything, the eighth-place finish glossed over the fact two of Leicester’s three wins in the final four games of the season were big wins against teams who had already been relegated in Norwich City and Watford.
It was a wildly inconsistent season in which they won as many as they lost and failed to string more than two consecutive wins together.
Leicester’s malaise worsened at the start of the 22/23 season as the Foxes drew its first game against Brentford before losing their next six games in a row, including 5-2 and 6-2 defeats to Brighton and Tottenham Hotspur respectively.
With the Foxes rooted to the bottom of the ladder, Percy felt the Spurs defeat was “surely the time to part ways,” especially since it was around the first international break of the season.
Yet Leicester owner Aiyawatt “Khun Top” Srivaddhanaprabha and director of football Jon Rudkin boldly elected to stick rather than twist.
Percy felt the decision simply proved what many had feared: Leicester had essentially blinded itself from the worst fate possible.
“The absence of ruthlessness allowed the club to drift,” Percy wrote.
The fans turned on Rodgers. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP)Source: AFP
“It seemed to suggest a mindset of ‘everything will be OK’, despite all the warning signs.”
However, results turned in Leicester’s favour after the international window with five wins from eight games and went into the mid-season World Cup break sitting in 13th.
But normality for Leicester in terms of their season as a whole quickly resumed post-Qatar.
Four consecutive losses didn’t quite send Leicester plummeting down the table, but it certainly decreased the gap between them and the chasing pack fighting tooth and nail for survival.
A mini-revival of two wins in February over Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur — in which they scored eight goals — proved to be nothing more than a false dawn.
Despite several more defeats, including one against rock-bottom Southampton, Rodgers still remained in the dugout at the King Power Stadium.
However, the baffling patience of Khun Top and Rudkin wore out after Leicester’s 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace on April 1 as Rodgers was dismissed the next day with the club sitting 19th.
Although it left Leicester with 10 games to salvage its season, it seemed as if there was no way to halt what felt like the inevitable.
“There was a realisation that things were going in one direction and Leicester’s slide has proven to be irreversible,” Tanner wrote.
“The damage was done.”
Adam Sadler and Mike Stowell were installed as caretaker managers in the hope of providing a bounce which often accompanies a change in the dugout, but it was not forthcoming.
Sadler and Stowell oversaw two defeats from two before former Aston Villa manager Dean Smith was handed the keys with only eight games left.
Smith had masterminded a miraculous escape once before with Villa during the Covid-affected 19/20 season and no doubt felt he could do the same again with former Foxes boss Craig Shakespeare and John Terry alongside him.
Rodgers’ successful tenure as Leicester boss rapidly spiralled out of control towards the end. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
A win against Wolves and draws against Leeds and Everton provided glimmers of hope, but consecutive defeats to Fulham and Liverpool ultimately proved to be the death knell for Leicester.
Even though the Midlands side did all they could on the final day to survive, their reliance on Bournemouth to get a result against Everton proved fruitless.
An off-season of significant change awaits Leicester.
The likes of Caglar Soyuncu, Ryan Bertrand, Jonny Evans and Youri Tielemans will leave the club as free agents, representing a net loss of $115 million.
Then there’s the group of Leicester stars who will be forced out the exit door to help finance new signings.
James Maddison, who is also out of contract at the end of next season, is almost certain to depart in a deal estimated to be $65 million.
Electric winger Harvey Barnes is another likely departure too.
But most pressing is which manager will be entrusted with the duty of getting Leicester promoted.
Former Chelsea and Brighton manager Graham Potter is the Foxes’ dream candidate but at this stage it seems highly unlikely he would drop a division.
Regardless, Manchester United legend Roy Keane believes the vacancy is one that will have several parties highly interested.
“A lot of managers would love to take that job,” Keane told Sky Sports.
“Especially if you get the backing they’ve had over the last few years — obviously it’s not been great the last 12 months — but generally Leicester have had good backing.”
It remains to be seen if Dean Smith will stay on as Leicester boss next season. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
WHY REMARKABLE DECADE HAS FOXES PRIMED FOR PL RETURN
Although it is a sombre mood at the King Power Stadium, it presents a time to reflect on what has been the greatest period of the club’s rich history filled with long-lasting memories.
There’s the great escape of the 2014/15 season under Nigel Pearson when the Foxes looked dead and buried, only to survive by the skin of their teeth.
It provided the platform for Leicester to complete one of the most remarkable stories in the history of sport when they won the Premier League title.
A memorable run to the Champions League quarter-finals in the following season also provided plenty to sing about.
Unfortunately the period of success was not without a tragedy which rocked the entire football world.
Former Leicester owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha was one of five people who died in a helicopter crash just outside the King Power Stadium after the Foxes’ game against West Ham United on October 27.
His son Khun Top continues to work tirelessly to honour his late father’s vision he had for the club he loved dearly.
There is certainly frustration in the manner with which Leicester went down, especially since it was largely preventable.
But they are no strangers to the Championship and, with the star power they already have in the squad, are primed to bounce straight back.
Socceroos star Harry Souttar, a January signing for the club, could prove to be a key figure in Leicester’s push for an immediate return given Soyuncu and Evans, two fellow centre-backs, will depart in the summer.
It promises to be a massive off-season for the club as they prepare for life in the second division for the first time since 2014.
With a new face in the dugout required and a squad refresh, this moment presents a golden opportunity for Leicester to turn a new page.
But it’s also a timely reminder for other clubs: if you dare to fly too close to the sun, it will end in flames.
Callum Wilson scored late on and then set up another goal as Newcastle won 4-1 at home to Brighton on Thursday to stay on course for Champions League qualification.
Victory left Newcastle third in the Premier League table and needing just one win from their remaining two league games this season, at home to Leicester on Monday and away to Chelsea, to secure a place among Europe’s elite.
Kieran Trippier’s dead-ball skills paved the way for Newcastle to go 2-0 up before half-time at St James’ Park, his crosses leading to an own-goal from Deniz Undav and a headed goal by Dan Burn.
Undav, however, pulled a goal back for Brighton early in the second half. But with the Seagulls pushing for an equaliser, Wilson scored on the counter-attack a minute from full-time before setting up Bruno Guimaraes as the Magpies made it 4-1.
Defeat left Brighton in sixth position and still in contention for Europa League football next season.
There was also a special moment for Australian and Brighton youngster Cameron Peupion who made his Premier League debut after coming on as a substitute in the 85th minute.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe fielded the same starting XI that featured in last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Leeds with injured duo Sean Longstaff and Jacob Murphy again missing from the squad.
Callum Wilson scored against Brighton. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)Source: AFP
By contrast, Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi made four changes to the team which ran out for Sunday’s superb 3-0 win at Arsenal with Jan Paul van Hecke, Facundo Buonanotte, Undav and Danny Welbeck replacing Levi Colwill, Alexis Mac Allister, Julio Enciso and Evan Ferguson respectively.
Newcastle were the better side early on and their dominance was rewarded in the 23rd minute when Undav glanced a header into his own net as he tried to clear Trippier’s excellent inswinging corner.
And the northeast side doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time when Burn rose above the Brighton defence to head in from a Trippier free-kick.
Saudi-backed Newcastle had a chance to put the result beyond doubt five minutes after the break but Miguel Almiron’s shot from point-blank range was saved superbly by Jason Steele.
Barely a minute later, south coast side Brighton were back in the game when Undav ran onto Billy Gilmour’s through-ball before beating England keeper Nick Pope.
Newcastle, however, had the final say with Wilson’s 18th league goal this season, the most by a Newcastle player since 2003/04 when Alan Shearer scored 22 goals, crowning a rapid counter-attack.
Wilson then turned provider, unselfishly squaring the ball for Bruno to spark joyous celebrations among Newcastle’s loyal and passionate fans.
Manchester City needed an Erling Haaland penalty 12 minutes from time to see off Crystal Palace 1-0 on Saturday as Liverpool’s resurgence proved short-lived after a 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth.
Victory takes City to within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal, who are not in action until Sunday when they travel to Fulham.
Pep Guardiola’s men dominated for almost the entire 94 minutes at a sodden Selhurst Park, but were headed for another major blow to their title defence until Ilkay Gundogan was chopped down inside the box by Michael Olise.
Haaland kept his cool to roll home his 34th goal of the season from the spot.
Erling Haaland and Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, celebrate after the team’s victory over Crystal Palace.Source: Getty Images
Earlier, Liverpool were brought back to earth with a bang after inflicting Manchester United’s record-equalling defeat in a 7-0 win last weekend.
Philip Billing scored the only goal for Bournemouth to lift the Cherries out of the bottom three as Mohamed Salah fired a second half penalty wide.
“The game was pretty much the opposite of what we wanted to show and to do today. I think we played for pretty much 95 minutes the game Bournemouth wanted to play,” said Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.
“This game was a massive knock and how it is with knocks, you have to take them, you have to have a look how big the scars are and then you go from there.”
Fifth-placed Liverpool are now six points adrift of the Champions League places after Harry Kane ensured a tough week for Tottenham ended on a high by scoring twice in a 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest.
Defensive blunder sends PSG packing | 01:05
– Kane lifts Tottenham –
The England captain’s future has been a source of speculation after Spurs crashed out of both the FA Cup and Champions League in the space a week.
Antonio Conte’s men had failed to score in their previous three games, but Kane ended that drought by rising highest to head in Pedro Porro’s cross.
Kane then coolly slotted home his first penalty since missing a crucial spot-kick in England’s World Cup quarter-final exit to France.
Richarlison made amends for criticism of Conte this week by teeing up Son Heung-min to fire in Spurs’ third.
Joe Worrall pulled a goal back for Forest, who then also had a stoppage time penalty from Andre Ayew saved by Fraser Forster.
Kane ended Spurs’ goal drought.Source: Getty Images
– Lineker sees Leicester lose –
Gary Lineker made the most of his absence from the BBC’s flagship football highlights program Match of the Day to watch his beloved Leicester lose 3-1 against Chelsea.
Lineker was forced to “step back” from his presenting duties after comparing the UK government’s rhetoric towards refugees this week to Nazi-era Germany.
Leicester remain rooted in the relegation battle, just one point above the drop zone after a fifth consecutive defeat.
Ben Chilwell put Chelsea ahead early on against his former club before Patson Daka levelled.
But a sensational pass from Enzo Fernandez and finish from Kai Havertz put Chelsea back in front and Mateo Kovacic’s strike secured a third consecutive win for the Blues, who continue to lift the pressure on Graham Potter.
Mateo Kovacic of Chelsea celebrates after scoring the team’s third goal during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Chelsea FC at The King Power Stadium on March 11, 2023 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Everton moved out of the bottom three and up to 15th thanks to a third 1-0 win in four home games under Sean Dyche.
Dwight McNeil smashed in the only goal inside the first minute to end Brentford’s 12-game unbeaten run in the Premier League.
Leeds remain second from bottom but closed to within a point of safety after twice coming from behind to draw 2-2 at home to high-flying Brighton.
Alexis Mac Allister put the Seagulls in front before Patrick Bamford levelled before the break.
Jack Harrison then scored at both ends in the second half to leave Brighton still nine points off the top four, albeit with three games in hand.
Phil Foden struck twice as Manchester City eased into the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 3-0 win against Bristol City, while 2021 winners Leicester suffered a shock 2-1 defeat against second tier Blackburn.
Pep Guardiola’s side were never in danger of a giant-killing in the fifth round tie at Ashton Gate thanks to Foden’s brace and a late strike from Kevin De Bruyne.
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City will hope for another boost when Premier League leaders Arsenal, two points ahead of the champions, face Everton in their game in hand.
De Bruyne returned after missing two games through illness, while Kalvin Phillips started for only the second time since joining City from Leeds last year.
City took a seventh minute lead when Riyad Mahrez crossed to the far post, where Foden fired into the roof of the net.
Phil Foden put on a show. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Foden doubled City’s lead after 74 minutes as Julian Alvarez flicked towards Foden, who produced another clinical finish past Max O’Leary.
De Bruyne got the visitors’ third from long-range in the 81st minute to ensure the smoothest of nights for the six-time FA Cup winners.
It was an impressive game for Foden and one that meant a lot given the adversity he has faced, with the Manchester City star opening up on the “lowest parts” of his career post-game.
“I am feeling much better in my feet,” Foden said, reflecting on injuries and time spent out of the team.
“You know it is not easy sometimes when you play with discomfort in your feet.
“I feel 100 per cent fit now and comfortable so hopefully I can come back into the team and help them as much as possible. It has definitely [been frustrating], it has been one of the lowest parts of my career but everyone goes through them, it’s how you react.”
LEICESTER ‘BULLIED’ AND BOOED OFF AFTER SHOCK DEFEAT
Leicester were booed off by angry fans after Blackburn ended the Foxes’ bid to reach a second FA Cup final in three seasons.
Brendan Rodgers led Leicester to the club’s first ever FA Cup triumph in 2021, but Rovers punished woeful defending from the Premier League side to shatter their hopes of emulating that run.
With Leicester 14th in the top-flight, just three points above the relegation zone, Rodgers made six changes to the side beaten by Arsenal at the weekend and paid the price for his gamble.
Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side, fourth in the Championship, are into the last eight for the first time since 2015.
Rovers took the lead when Tyrhys Dolan curled home from the edge of the area in the 33rd minute.
Blackburn won the match 2-1. (Photo by DARREN STAPLES / AFP)Source: AFP
Sammie Szmodics made it 2-0 to Blackburn seven minutes after the break following good work by Sam Gallagher.
Kelechi Iheanacho netted from Harvey Barnes’ pass in the 67th minute, but Blackburn held on.
“Leicester are a strange team they suffer some real poor results and performances and then they can go on a run,” former Everton midfielder Leon Osman said on BBC Sport.
“They are a team in transition but performances like tonight will always worry a manager, they were bullied by at times by a Championship team here and they will need to get that out of their system.”
As for Blackburn, Osman said based on Wednesday’s game, they are “onto bigger and better things”.
“They showed all the different styles of how to win a game and dominated Leicester at all of them,” he said.
“They have group of young players who are going to develop and it is really enjoyable to see.”
It was a disappointing result for Leicester. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
FULHAM’S STUNNING 13-YEAR FIRST
Manor Solomon scored for the fourth time in four game as Fulham beat Leeds 2-0 at Craven Cottage to make the last eight for the first time since 2010.
Fulham, who have exceeded all expectations to climb to sixth place in the Premier League this year, took the lead through Joao Palhinha’s superb 25-year curler in the 21st minute.
Palhinha’s strike came after Georginio Rutter thought he had scored his first goal for Leeds when he tapped home after Marek Rodak had palmed the ball into his path.
But referee Chris Kavanagh ruled it out for a foul in the area and VAR did not intervene.
Israel forward Solomon, on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk, finished off Leeds in the 56th minute, curling in from the edge of the area after playing a one-two with Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Fulham can still dream of a first FA Cup final appearance since 1975.
Fulham celebrates after scoring. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
But it was a first defeat for new Leeds boss Javi Gracia, whose side won 1-0 against fellow strugglers Southampton in the Premier League last weekend.
Brighton won 1-0 at second tier Stoke to reach the quarter-final for the third time in the last six seasons.
The Seagulls, who beat holders Liverpool in the fourth round, remain in the hunt for a first FA Cup final appearance since 1983.
Brighton landed the decisive blow in the 30th minute when teenage forward Evan Ferguson met Kaoru Mitoma’s pass with a close-range finish.
Among the four remaining fifth-round ties on Thursday, League Cup winners Manchester United host West Ham, while Tottenham travel to Sheffield United.
