Leicester are looking to bounce straight back.
For the first time in their history, which goes back to 1890, Leicester City Football Club have been relegated to the third tier of English Football.
Never before has this happened to the east midlands club, even though they have had some near misses in the past. Just eight years ago Leicester were having their most successful time in their history, thanks to Martin O’Neill at the helm. O’Neill had guided Leicester to becoming an established mid table premiership side.
In 1997 and 2000, Leicester won the league cup, which automatically qualified them to go in to the UEFA cup, something that had never happened to the club before. These glory years were not long lived though, and when Martin O’Neill moved on to Celtic there was only one way the club could go. Bad managers came and went as did bad players, until finally Leicester were in a relegation fight at the bottom of the championship at the end of 2006, although they managed to stay up. Leicester were in financial crisis but millionaire Milan Mandaric saved the club, buying it for £26 million.
Fans thought this change in luck would signal the start of the push back to the premiership. In the 2007-2008 season Leicester started the season poorly, with manager Martin Allen leaving the club and the side were in the bottom half. Gary Megson was brought in to steady the ship, but he only lasted a month and a half until he moved on to Bolton. Then in came Ian Holloway, who promised the fans he would get them out of the relegation zone. This didn’t happen however and Leicester’s fate was sealed on the last day of the season after a 1-1 draw away to Stoke City.
For the first time in their history, which goes back to 1890, Leicester City Football Club have been relegated to the third tier of English Football.
Never before has this happened to the east midlands club, even though they have had some near misses in the past. Just eight years ago Leicester were having their most successful time in their history, thanks to Martin O’Neill at the helm. O’Neill had guided Leicester to becoming an established mid table premiership side.
In 1997 and 2000, Leicester won the league cup, which automatically qualified them to go in to the UEFA cup, something that had never happened to the club before. These glory years were not long lived though, and when Martin O’Neill moved on to Celtic there was only one way the club could go. Bad managers came and went as did bad players, until finally Leicester were in a relegation fight at the bottom of the championship at the end of 2006, although they managed to stay up. Leicester were in financial crisis but millionaire Milan Mandaric saved the club, buying it for £26 million.
Fans thought this change in luck would signal the start of the push back to the premiership. In the 2007-2008 season Leicester started the season poorly, with manager Martin Allen leaving the club and the side were in the bottom half. Gary Megson was brought in to steady the ship, but he only lasted a month and a half until he moved on to Bolton. Then in came Ian Holloway, who promised the fans he would get them out of the relegation zone. This didn’t happen however and Leicester’s fate was sealed on the last day of the season after a 1-1 draw away to Stoke City.
Leicester will be looking this season to get straight back up. They have sold only a few players and still have Matty Fryatt who has already scored 22 goals this season. They have a good manager in Nigel Pearson and everyone connected with the club will hope that this is just a one off season and they will go straight back up.
