Leicester City’s fall from grace is no longer a mere slump; it is a cruel reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in the Premier League when long-term vision fades, investments are poorly executed, and the momentum meant to sustain success for years is derailed by flawed decision-making.
The 2015/16 season served up one of the Premier League’s most unreal moments, a footballing fairytale too good to be true. No one could have imagined it, nor scripted it.
Exactly 10-years after the world watched in disbelief as Claudio Ranieri’s men hoisted the Premier League trophy, the blue ribbons of 2016 have been replaced by the harsh reality of a Championship relegation battle the Foxes have found themselves.
After the departure of the key figures – both players and managers – who powered that title triumph, something vital has felt absent ever since. The King Power Stadium, once a fortress of miracles, now echoes with the frustration of a fan base watching their club surrender to financial hubris and on-pitch apathy.
What Has Happened To Leicester City?
The Financial Hubris: How Overspending Triggered Leicester City’s Fall
While Leicester City’s six-point deduction isn’t the sole cause of their descent into a Championship relegation battle, it has played a major role. The sanction follows a breach of the English Football League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) during a three-year assessment period concluding in the 2023/24 season.
An independent commission discovered that the club overspent by approximately £20.8 million, exceeding the allowed loss threshold of £83 million for that period. Furthermore, the Foxes were found in violation of rules concerning the timely submission of their annual accounts for the year ending June 30, 2024.
Although a stricter 12-point penalty was initially considered, the commission ultimately imposed a six-point deduction, citing the club’s “improving financial position” as a significant mitigating factor.
Nevertheless, this deduction remains a symbolic milestone in Leicester City’s fall, transforming a difficult season where they’ve won just 10 games and sit 22nd on the Championship table into a fight for the club’s very identity.
The End of a Fairytale Era, Undermined by Replacements That Never Quite Fit
The departure of captain Jamie Vardy at the end of the 2024/25 season – following a historic 13-year tenure where he played 500 games and scored 200 goals – signalled the final, painful chapter of Leicester City’s fall, leaving no players from their sublime 2016 title triumph.
First, the exit of N’Golo Kante in 2016 to Chelsea created a void in the engine room, followed by the departures of other players who could be described as the “spine of the team” like Riyad Mahrez, Kasper Schmeichel, and Marc Albrighton.
Failing to bring in replacements who could match the required quality, the club’s standard dropped and their once-unbreakable spirit dissolved into the current Championship crisis.
Vardy’s final bow, an emotional farewell, was a stark reminder of the leadership and character now missing from a squad fighting a desperate battle against back-to-back relegations
Also, the club’s sack of Ranieri – who spent close to two years at the club and led them to a 5,000-1 EPL title – was one of the most controversial moments in Leicester City’s fall. The Italian was sacked after poor performances from the team throughout that period and, most tellingly, a failure to score a single league goal in the first two months of 2017.
Managerial Instability
Since the departure of Ranieri in 2017, Leicester City have swiped through seven different permanent managers – and 10 in total when including interim and caretaker roles – these relentless managerial changes has significantly contributed to Leicester City’s fall, as each new appointment brought a conflicting tactical philosophy that gradually eroded the club’s once-clear identity.
The instability reached the climax between 2023/2026, a period that saw the club burn through names like Dean Smith, Enzo Maresca, and Ruud van Nistelrooy in rapid succession, instead of building on the stability of the Brendan Rodgers era.
The board’s erratic decision-making, prioritising short-term fixes over a coherent long-term strategy left the squad demoralised and trapped in a state of constant transition, and by the time Gary Rowett was brought in as an interim, the damage was largely done.
Yet, despite the grim reality of Leicester City’s fall, there’s a sliver of hope remaining. With 13 games left in the Championship calendar, the Foxes can still salvage their season as, mathematically, there is a lifeline to claw their way out of the bottom three and avoid the shame of League One relegation.
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A Grossly Underperforming Squad
The current squad at the club’s disposal stands in stark contrast to the side that lifted the title. A run of just two wins in 11 matches has left them among the most out-of-form teams in the Championship, prompting supporters to demand greater fight and intensity from the players – a slump that has significantly contributed to Leicester City’s decline.
To avoid the embarrassment of relegation to League One, every player must raise their heads and become accountable. The performance levels must be raised, and the fighting spirit fans so desperately crave must be evident not just in words, but in actions, every tackle, every second ball, and every decisive moment on the pitch.
Only a collective surge in intensity, accountability, and belief can steer the club away from the brink and restore a sense of pride to the badge.
The Foxes Fight for Survival
Leicester City’s 2016 Premier League title triumph now feels like centuries ago. Back then, no one gave them a chance of even finishing in the top ten, let alone qualifying for the UEFA Champions League – let alone lifting the trophy. It was a fairytale built on unity, relentless work rate, and an unbreakable belief that defied logic.
Fast forward to today, and the reality could not be more different. Instead of dreaming about Europe, they are staring at the heart-wrenching possibility of relegation in quick succession. This Leicester City’s fall from the pinnacle of English football to the threat of a double drop marks a dramatic and humiliating descent from grace.
The current City squad must rediscover the spirit that once made them fearless. They need the same mental resilience, the same collective hunger, and the same dogged determination that turned doubters into believers years ago. Survival will not come from the reputation of “former Premier League champions.” It will demand fight, character, and a refusal to surrender when the pressure mounts.
If Leicester are to avoid further embarrassment and steady the ship, the players must show that the badge on their chest still means something – that the fight which defined 2016 has not completely faded. Only by reviving that mindset can they begin to write a new chapter instead of reliving a painful collapse.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Pro Sports Images
Recording Date: 10.02.2026
