🎧 The remarkable rise and fall of Leicester Citypublished at 12:29 BST 6 May
12:29 BST 6 May
Media caption,
The Rise and Fall of Leicester City - Part 1
"The club was together; the fans, the board, the directors. Everyone was pulling in the right direction and it's just a shame to see how the club has done a 180 now where it's completely disjointed.
"Sport sometimes has these crazy stories - Leicester is unfortunately one of those now."
From their Premier League title win to their relegation to League One, Kelly Cates is joined by Wes Morgan, Robert Huth, Marc Albrighton and BBC Sport's Midlands reporter Nick Mashiter to reflect on the past 10 years at Leicester City in a two-part series.
Gary Rowett, who has come to the end of his short-term contract as Leicester boss, is also seen by some as right person to continue on in the job.
Former Foxes boss Nigel Pearson gets a mention among an eclectic group that also includes Motherwell's Jens Berthel Askou, Burton Albion's Gary Bowyer and former Burnley, Everton and Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche.
Here is a selection of what Foxes fans had to say.
Liz: I think Christian Fuchs would be a rather exciting appointment. He knows the set up at the King Power, probably knows some of the junior stars and would be a good move for him one league up. Let's face it, he's done wonders to keep Newport up.
Brian: Leicester City need a complete rebuild and I would choose Christian Fuchs to be the man to do the job, supported by someone like Robert Huth, both I'm sure would command respect from players and staff.
Dave: I'd have Nigel Pearson back. He basically put the 2016 squad together, but I'm not sure the owners would have him back. Christian Fuchs would be a nice story as a club legend, but Andy King didn't do such a good job when he had a go.
Colt: Has to be title-winning Christian Fuchs, he could build a new young team and be an inspiring in-house leader like Michael Carrick at Manchester United. None of the other names are exciting enough or connected to LCFC.
Chris: Recognising there is risk, there seem to be lots of reasons to opt for Fuchs, we need to restore spirit and fan connectivity, and he has achieved his goals at Newport. Darren Ferguson had four stints at Peterborough.
Liam: Personally I'd stick with Rowett. I don't put any blame on him for our relegation from the Championship, he walked into a toxic environment and inherited a squad lacking confidence, desire and motivation. He has the knowhow and is one of the most experienced coaches in EFL football. As long as the player recruitment is right I think Rowett could get as play-offs as an absolute minimum.
Nick: Let's stick with Rowett. The team played with far more structure and impetus than we've seen for a while. He was prepared to drop players on loan when it was clear we need to look to the future, although I'd love to see Jordan James back next season. He knows the league and has some time to continue what he's started and build momentum.
Simon: Why would even a dysfunctional leadership team consider extending Rowetts stay? Answer me that riddle...
Dave: In reality we have run out of options. Rowett has a good track record in the Championship. Swapping him now for someone who's CV is League One oriented is the wrong signal. He has worked with small budgets before. It's the Championship we want to be back in ASAP!
Paul: The Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou is a perfect candidate - he has built a good team [that is] young and exciting [and] play good football. But I fear we are just going to do the same old route with the people at the top. Darren Ferguson, really? Come on, what's he done? Nothing.
Malcolm: Ex-City player Tom Cleverley has done well at Watford and Plymouth.
Ian: Why not go for Sean Dyche? I know it would be a drop for him to. But he'd give us stability, desire to win and he could build a team for the future.
Sam: Go and get Gary Bowyer from Burton Albion. He's proven at this level and brings the stability that is desperately needed.
Philip: Scott Parker would be the ideal candidate - very good record in getting teams promotion, attractive style of football with a solid defence, he would have the chance to mould the team in his own way to take us back to the Premier League.
James: It would obviously be nice to have someone with a connection to the club but what we really need is a change of playing style. No more trying to trying to be the next Barcelona - it only leads to limp, passive displays where we make 500 passes at the back but have zero shots.
There's no need to be too clever in League One - get the ball forwards and try to score goals quickly. Anyone who understands this and thinks that anything less than promotion next season would be unacceptable please.
Lindsay: The Leicester City board need to get this next managerial appointment right and do it soon.
On the appointment of Rowett they should have been actively working towards that deal.
We need somebody dynamic, good at man management and a disciplinarian to knock this sorry squad into a state that will challenge for promotion. Whoever it is good luck to them as they will need it #keepthefaith
Who would be your choice to lead Foxes in League One?published at 09:52 BST 5 May
09:52 BST 5 May
Image source, Getty Images/BBC Sport
Leicester City are a League One side in desperate need of stability after suffering back-to-back relegations.
Manager Gary Rowett has come to the end of his short-term contract as boss, but has indicated that he is open to staying on to attempt to rebuild the former Premier League champions in the third tier.
But whenever he has spoken about his future, he has also admitted that the club might desire a "fresh start" in League One.
There have been plenty of names linked with the job. Former Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson, who oversaw three League One promotions as manager of the Cambridgeshire club, is seen as a potential candidate.
Dutch manager Dick Schreuder, who is in charge of Eredivisie side NEC Nijmegen, as well as Premier League-winning former Fox Christian Fuchs, who has kept Newport in League Two this season, have been linked with the gig at the King Power Stadium.
But who do Leicester fans want? Stick with Rowett, who will have a running start after being in the job for a few months already, or go in a new direction?
'We'll come back stronger' - Rowettpublished at 17:48 BST 2 May
17:48 BST 2 May
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Gary Rowett backed Leicester to bounce back from their turbulent season
Leicester manager Gary Rowett told BBC Radio Leicester: "It was really important in the last two games to ensure we stayed professional and did the job for the fans, if nothing else. They came in great numbers again, were outstanding for us, stayed behind the team and at least showed their appreciation.
"The club will rise again and we'll come back stronger with that togetherness.
"In the first half we were really good on the ball, got in some excellent areas, created some good chances. A couple of times they transitioned on us and we got away with it with good defending - Jannik [Vestergaard] was excellent.
"The second half was different. They injected a little bit more of a higher press and higher energy into the game but we managed it well, and it was nice to score at the end.
"The number of games where we have played well and not got anything out of the game has been frustrating, but this was one where in the second half we didn't play as well but get a winner through Stephy."
Pick of the stats: Blackburn Rovers v Leicester Citypublished at 14:05 BST 30 April
14:05 BST 30 April
Until about a fortnight ago this game had been highlighted as a potential relegation blockbuster.
As it turns out though, there will be sighs of relief on three sides of Ewood Park on Saturday (12:30 BST) as Blackburn fans celebrate a successful battle against the drop while in the away end, Leicester supporters will mark their final game in the Championship for at least one season.
After their 2-0 win in November, Blackburn could complete their first league double over Leicester City since 1990-91.
Both of Leicester's past two league meetings with Blackburn have seen them lose 2-0; the Foxes last lost three league matches in a row to Rovers in October 1987, while they have never done so without scoring before.
Blackburn Rovers have only lost their final league match in one of the past 13 seasons (W9 D3), a 3-2 defeat away to Luton in 2019-20.
Leicester have lost their final league match in four of the past six seasons (W2), as many as their previous 18 beforehand (W8 D6 L4).
Leicester are the fifth team to be relegated from the Premier League and Championship in consecutive seasons, after Swindon Town (1993-94/94-95), Wolves (2011-12/12-13), Sunderland (2016-17/17-18) and Luton (2023-24/24-25).
'We spoke about the need to be professional'published at 23:23 BST 24 April
23:23 BST 24 April
Media caption,
Gary Rowett: 'Sometimes it just comes down to desire'
Leicester boss Gary Rowett spoke to BBC Sport following their 1-1 draw with Millwall.
"It was always going to be a tough evening knowing that we sealed our fate on Tuesday. There was a little bit of me wondering how we would respond and how we would perform.
"We spoke candidly about the need to be professional and the need to make sure that we did out jobs at the very least.
"The first half was probably an indication of Millwall just wanted the game a little bit more – they had more energy and ran with more intensity at times.
"In the second half we had a bit more energy and a bit more fight about our performance and the goal sums it up. I've spoken about wanting a bit more nastiness and a little more bloody-mindedness to score some scruffier goals in one box and to defend the other better.
"And Harry Souttar summed it up tonight, he headed everything out of our box and had real desire, along with Jannik [Vestergaard] and the one opportunity he gets in the other box, he attacks it like there is only one person that is going to score.
"We have missed that, and for someone to give us that after being out for 450-odd days is quite incredible."
Fuchs could be contender for Leicester return - Roberts published at 16:56 BST 24 April
16:56 BST 24 April
Image source, Getty Images
Former Wales striker Iwan Roberts says Christian Fuchs could be a contender to join a new-look Leicester City coaching staff this summer.
Fuchs' immediate focus is on trying to save Newport County from relegation to the National League.
Whatever happens to the Exiles, Roberts believes fellow former Leicester player Fuchs – a Premier League title winner in 2016 - could be on the Foxes' radar following their relegation from the Championship.
Current Leicester boss Gary Rowett was appointed in February on a short-term deal running until the end of this season.
And after relegation was confirmed in midweek, there has been speculation about who might be in charge at the King Power Stadium come the start of the 2026-27 season.
"Christian Fuchs was a massive part of what they achieved in 2016 - he is so well regarded at the football club," Roberts told this week's Feast of Football podcast.
"I have seen him mentioned going back with Wes Morgan, the captain of that [Premier League title-winning] year.
"Maybe it takes something like that, two players who are really well liked and know the club, to sort things out."
For the moment, Fuchs is concentrating on trying to save Newport from the drop.
The Exiles are one place above the League Two relegation places with two games remaining this season, the first of which is against mid-table Oldham Athletic at Rodney Parade on Saturday (15:00 BST).
A win over Oldham could be enough to ensure Newport's survival depending on results elsewhere.
"I was there when they beat Notts County [to stay up in 2017]," Roberts added.
"The scenes when the final whistle went were quite incredible. Hopefully it will be the same on Saturday."
Pick of the stats: Leicester City v Millwallpublished at 10:34 BST 23 April
10:34 BST 23 April
Leicester City play their final home game in the Championship this season, after relegation to League One was confirmed with their 2-2 draw against Hull City on Tuesday.
Millwall visit on Friday (20:00 BST) and will need at least a point to move back into second position, above Ipswich who visit West Bromwich Albion on Saturday lunchtime.
Leicester City have won both of their past two home league games against Millwall, scoring three goals in each: a 3-0 win in November 2013, and 3-2 in December 2023.
Millwall have won both of their past two Championship matches against Leicester City (both 1-0), and are looking to complete their fourth league double over the Foxes, after 1990-91, 2011-12, and 2012-13.
Leicester City have been relegated to League One, 10 years after they were crowned Premier League champions. It is the second-shortest gap between a side being English champions and then being relegated to the third tier, after Derby County's nine years from 1975 to 1984.
Leicester have lost their final home game in five of their past eight Championship seasons (W3), including three of their past four.
Millwall have won 40 points from 22 Championship away games this season (W11 D7 L4); it is the Lions' joint-most away points (assuming 3 points for a win) in a league campaign, along with the 2000-01 campaign.
Supporters reflected on the club's famous 2016 title and the 2021 FA Cup triumph, as well as years of European football along the way, when talking about just how far the club has fallen.
We need 'a full clear-out' and to 'stick together' - fans react to relegationpublished at 13:18 BST 22 April
13:18 BST 22 April
Image source, Getty Images
BBC Sport asked Leicester City supporters what they would like to see happen at the club to stop the rot after they suffered back-to-back relegations to drop into League One.
Fans gathered outside the ground to demand change immediately after the draw with Hull City that sealed the Foxes' fate.
Below is a selection of what fans had to say.
Hardy: A full clear-out is needed, starting with the board and coaching staff. The focus now should be on building a younger, hungrier squad with a long-term vision, not short-term fixes. Rebuild properly and come back stronger.
Wes: Depressed. The club needs a complete overhaul. Too many uninformed decisions were made. The firing of a ridiculous amount of mangers solely based on the 'new manager bounce'. My advice to the King Power Group: take a deep breath, take a step back and hire competent staff members who know how to run a club, based upon a clear direction and plan. If not, just sell the club because the KPG is haemorrhaging money on its 'plan' and it is not making sense from a business perspective.
Stephen: I had been resigned to League One football for quite some time if I'm being honest. It's been a woeful season - from getting the basics right to showing any fight or passion, it's all been missing. I got to the point where I didn't even get angry any more, just accepted it, even sort of expected it - says it all really. Massive clear out, Top (no pun intended) to bottom, is definitely needed.
David: Having been a supporter since 1959, I've seen all the ups and downs. When King Power took over, these have been the greatest years we have known. We need to stick with and support the owners and the good years will return.
Chris: I was taken to my first Leicester City game by my grandfather at the age of eight. As a lifelong supporter, now a grandfather myself, I watched us lose three FA Cup finals in the 1960s and never thought I would see the club become one of only seven clubs to win the Premier League and to finally break our FA Cup hoodoo.
Of course, relegation to League One feels like a disaster but frankly I wouldn't swap the highs of the last 10 years for a mid-table Championship finish this year. The reasons for our decline are many and mostly off the field. Contrast the inspired recruitment and managerial appointments of the 'glory years' (think Vardy, Kante and Mahrez among others) with the recent lack of quality players and the embarrassing merry-go-round of poor managerial choices. I will always be a fan and cannot support any other team. Let's get back to a 'Foxes never quit' mentality and better times will return.
Pete: The next two months are vital and there's so much to do. First, we need to appoint a manager in May or by June at the latest. I'd go for Rowett simply as he's got a head start. We've got to clear out as many high-wage earners as possible, retain only those who will work hard and play with pride and passion, then recruit a mix of experienced battlers and those with hunger to prove themselves. I can't see anyone buying out King Power right now so they need to be decisive and pragmatic - abandon their fantasies of a playing style 'identity' and get back the club's authentic identity of shrewd recruitment, hard work to raise standards and pragmatic, winning football played with passion and urgency.
Luke: Every single capillary of Leicester City Football Club has been infiltrated by a culture of complacency over the last few years. It is very difficult to see this being rectified under the current leadership. King Power's position as owners is, and has been for some time now, untenable.
Tom: Anxious now to see how spending rules will be applied to us in League One and how they will impact our future. No doubt we have been run terribly but it is a very bitter pill to swallow while clubs like us watch Chelsea and Manchester City continue to escape punishment.