Leicester’s relegation doesn’t have to be a disaster – but only on one big condition
Relegation is rubbish but not the end of the world, says Chris Whiting – just so long as we make sure our stint in the Championship doesn’t last long
In the wake of Leicester City's relegation from the Premier League, Jamie Barnard's poignant reflection on the football hierarchy strikes a chord with many frustrated fans. His observations about clubs finding their natural level and the cyclical nature of success in English football are difficult to dismiss. It’s near impossible to not share the same anger and disappointment at how our beloved club has recklessly squandered its position, and returned to our historic yo-yo’ing norm.
There was a part of me, like many others, that believed Leicester wouldn't see the second tier for years to come. Embarrassingly, I remember writing in The Observer in 2014 that the song that would define us in the Premier League would be Fleetwood Mac’s Never Going Back Again. Obviously, at the time that was tongue-in-cheek.
Flash forward two years and we really were on a trajectory to establish ourselves as the Villarreal of English football—a club that consistently competed at the top level, defying the odds and earning the admiration of fans across the country. Yet, our recent shortcomings have shattered those hopes, at least temporarily.
Fish us out… fast
Despite the immense frustration, we shouldn’t forget that – for now at least – the club still retains its lustre and mystique from an incredible nine-year stint in the Premier League. Our triumph in winning the league title against all odds, the European adventures and recent FA Cup success have etched our name in football consciousness, and propelled our stock to levels never seen before. Our accomplishments have resonated with fans worldwide: Leicester City have become a global brand.
And that’s why we have to capitalise on being a big fish in a small pond while we can.
Few clubs are seemingly immune from relegation – perhaps just the greedy six and Newcastle. Even fewer can expect to be irresistibly hoisted back from whence they came; think Aston Villa and West Ham. We’re not that big a club – we have to strike while the iron’s hot, or more correctly, while our size is artificially exaggerated.
While the bout against the ‘football hierarchy’ may have swung in their favour for now, the fight is far from over. City must learn from their mistakes quickly, taking swift action to clear out the hangers-on and make necessary changes to the leadership structure – namely slapping a P45 on Jon Rudkin’s desk.
As we navigate the challenges of the Championship once again (still can’t believe I’m saying that), ambition must be at the forefront of our strategy whilst our stock remains high. The club needs to convince our star players, such as Kelechi Iheanacho, Ricardo Pereira and Nampalys Mendy, to give a second-tier tour a go. Their experience and quality can be instrumental in our journey back to the top flight.
Get back
The point I’m making is that the current situation is undeniably perilous, but not fatal. The key to reversing the decline lies in ambition, shrewdness and haste.
We must approach the upcoming season with renewed determination, making astute decisions in the transfer market and assembling a squad that can compete at the Championship level. Promotion is the only acceptable outcome next term. Failure to achieve it will almost certainly lead to a prolonged period of exile.
The fight against the football hierarchy is far from over. Leicester have defied expectations in the past, and it’s within our DNA to do so again. We must use this setback as fuel to reignite our ambitions and restore the club's rightful place in the top tier.
The path to redemption is treacherous, but with the right decisions, unwavering support and a united front, we can overcome the setback.
Next season will be a litmus test for Leicester – a test we have to get right. If not, the rot could really set in, and only then will the 'football hierarchy' have won.
NOW READ 79 ridiculous things that happened to Leicester City in 2022-23
Fall guy or failure?: Assessing Dean Smith's 8 games at Leicester City
