All Or Nothing: Leicester City – Off Script, Episode #1
Incredibly, Amazon haven’t yet seen fit to deploy their cameras inside the hallowed corridors of Seagrave and the King Power Stadium – but after an inglorious summer for the ages, they’re probably wishing they had.
In the meantime, this is probably how things would have looked…
1. INT. SEAGRAVE, NORTH LEICESTERSHIRE
KIERNAN DEWSBURY-HALL and HARVEY BARNES are playing pool in the common room at Leicester City's training ground.
Deep in shot, BRENDAN RODGERS enters from a far door, clutching a takeaway espresso cup while in conversation with KOLO TOURE.
Suddenly, RODGERS takes the cue from DEWSBURY-HALL, lines up an effort and aims towards a pocket. He misses, then flashes a knowing glance at the camera.
RODGERS
You only get one shot at a second chance. That's what we teach the players at this football club.
He nods at BARNES, then passes DEWSBURY-HALL his cue back and walks out of shot.
The camera zooms in on BARNES, who is silent.
[INTRO CREDITS ROLL. MUSIC CUE: HEROES IN BLUE & WHITE – DAVE HENSON]
2. EXT. A TRAINING PITCH, SEAGRAVE
NARRATOR VOICEOVER [DAVID ICKE]
Leicester City have lost their first friendly game of the summer against National League side Notts County. After a season in which they conceded a Premier League-record number of goals from set-pieces, the Foxes have just let in two more against their non-league opposition with returning loanee DANIEL IVERSEN between the posts. Captain JONNY EVANS has approached manager RODGERS after the game.
EVANS
Gaffer, we need to sort out these set-pieces, don’t you think?
RODGERS
Tough ball in that for young Daniel. Very tough to deal with. He’s a young boy. Very young. He did well to get anything on it. You’ve got to remember, he hasn’t played at the level.
EVANS
At home to a non-league team in a pre-season friendly?
RODGERS
The expectations from the fans…
Camera pans to an empty sideline at SEAGRAVE, as a couple of pigeons take flight.
RODGERS
The expectations from the coaching staff…
Camera pans to MIKE STOWELL shouting at some training cones.
RODGERS
You have to remember, Jonny, Notts County are the oldest football league club in the world. They’ve got the experience. They’ve been doing this for years. We’re still very new in our development. We were founded in 1884. That’s only 137 years – it’s not very long to get on the training ground and work on the issues we have. The boys are doing their best. It’s very tough at this level.
EVANS
But…
RODGERS
I know, Jonny, I know. But don’t worry – we’ve got a guy coming in to help us this season. It’s all in place.
NARRATOR
But there’s been a problem already.
Camera cuts to ext. shot of nondescript room, but it is clearly at an airport. The suggestion is that we haven’t been let in to film, but amid the sound of generic airport ambience we see an angry and dishevelled individual remonstrating with two white-shirted officers.
3. INT. THE MANAGER’S OFFICE, SEAGRAVE
Overlay footage continues of angry individual in airport as they furiously point at paperwork on a table, gesticulate and sporadically put their head in their hands.
RODGERS
We had a set-piece coach lined up to join us this summer, but there’s been a bit of red tape that means he can’t come over yet – he’s spent the last 20 hours being questioned by immigration. You look at the Remain campaign and wish they’d just put ‘16 GOALS CONCEDED FROM SET-PIECES LAST SEASON’ on their bus instead.
NARRATOR
Rodgers is braced for a difficult summer at the club as they seek an instant return to Europe. In February, he discussed a squad refresh that has given supporters some hope, but has since been told that players must leave before he can sign new ones. Meanwhile, the future of talismanic midfielder Youri Tielemans remains uncertain, while club legend Kasper Schmeichel looks likely to depart after 11 years at the club.
RODGERS
Yeah, it's not been ideal, but it's something we've had to look at – that's our reality unfortunately. I've tried to make hints to a few of the boys that they're not in my plans any more, but it's been difficult – even after we made all of the door frames three inches lower, Jannik just politely ducks, smiles and wags his finger like it's some kind of joke now. And no matter how many times I ring up Hamza pretending to be Steve Bruce, he's still having none of it. I'm pretty sure he knows it's me by now, but it's just the situation we're in. We're all working hard.
At that moment, RODGERS receives a phone call from an unknown number. He answers it cheerily, as if speaking to a well-known friend.
RODGERS
Hi mate, how are you? … Holiday treating you well? … [Laughs] Oh, big night was it? … [Scoffs playfully] No! Just the eight tonight, then … [Chuckles] I'm more of a Sex on the Beach man myself – love the drink, too.
RODGERS winks at the camera.
RODGERS
OK, well listen – have a great time and we'll see you when you're back. Don't worry about us, Top says we're having a quiet one this year … No, not even Ademola. [Laughs] I know! Bye.
RODGERS sighs gently as he puts down the phone, then points to it on the table.
RODGERS
Martyn Glover, new head of recruitment. Enjoying his gardening leave.
4. INT. PLAYERS' CANTEEN, SEAGRAVE
Leicester’s squad are gathered around a makeshift stage, where goalkeeper KASPER SCHMEICHEL is preparing to make a speech.
NARRATOR
While player arrivals are taking up much of Brendan’s headspace right now, departures are on his mind too – not least the imminent exit of Schmeichel, who is joining French side Nice on a three-year deal.
SCHMEICHEL stands at the front of the room with RODGERS beside him.
SCHMEICHEL
Lads, I’ll keep this short but I just want to say it’s been an absolute pleasure – what we’ve achieved together is unbelievable and I’ll never forget it. I hope you understand that I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to try something new, but I just wanted to wish you all the best of luck.
RODGERS
This guy… it’s hard to put into words what a role model he is for every player who walks through the doors at this football club. Look at Kasper. Look at the way he carries himself, his commitment every day. This summer is going to be difficult, which I keep trying to remind everyone about in case Rudkin and Whelan read Leicestershire Live on their lunch breaks, but we can push through it by learning from guys like him. We’re saying goodbye to a legend, but this is where we look ahead now. Kasper, I’d like you to do me the honour of passing me that envelope please…
SCHMEICHEL looks at him confused, then shoots him a pleading glance.
RODGERS
Don’t worry: I’ve thought about doing this again for a while and I’m giving it a twist this time. I’ve been here before with documentaries and the cameras, and we’ve all learned from that. It was just down to a wee bit of inexperience on my part.
SCHMEICHEL
Brendan…
RODGERS
In this envelope, I’ve written down the name of one – and only one this time, I know what you’re thinking – player who I think will let us down this season. It’s…
JAMIE VARDY
Gaffer, it just says ‘KELECHI’ on the outside.
The room falls silent, and the camera zooms on a bemused KELECHI IHEANACHO.
RODGERS
[Pointing to envelope] Kolo, I gave you one job today.
KOLO TOURE stops playing Candy Crush on his phone and swiftly removes the device out of sight.
TOURE
Sorry, boss.
RODGERS
That's OK – we’ll just do better next time.
SCHMEICHEL
What about Kelechi?
RODGERS
Who's Kelechi?
[OUTRO CREDITS ROLL. MUSIC CUE: HEROES IN BLUE & WHITE – DAVE HENSON]
TO BE CONTINUED…