Leicester City's Dramatic Fall: From Premier League Glory to League One Brink
The Foxes celebrated their memorable Premier League title win just ten years ago, but have slowly been on a decline since that historic achievement. Leicester are now on the verge of back-to-back relegations, potentially dropping from the Premier League all the way down to League One. Here, we take an in-depth look at Leicester's downfall over the last decade, examining the key moments that led to this precipitous fall.
The Glory Years and Initial Struggles
2015-16: Leicester were crowned Premier League champions under Claudio Ranieri, finishing ten points ahead of second-placed Arsenal. This remarkable triumph guaranteed their spot in the Champions League for the very first time in the club's history.
2016-17: Leicester soon crashed back down to earth, sacking Ranieri in February 2017. Despite reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League, they finished a lowly 14th in the English top flight, highlighting early signs of instability.
Managerial Changes and Mixed Fortunes
2017-18: Following a run of just one win from their opening eight matches, new boss Craig Shakespeare departed. Claude Puel was put in charge, leading the team to a ninth-placed finish, a respectable but unspectacular result.
2018-19: Leicester were 12th when they sacked Puel, but Brendan Rodgers' appointment helped them finish ninth. This season was tragically remembered for a helicopter crash that killed Foxes owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and four others on October 27, casting a shadow over the club.
Brief Resurgence and European Dreams
2019-20: City completed their best season since winning the league, finishing fifth and going on an 11-game unbeaten run in all competitions. They defeated Southampton 9-0, which still stands as the joint-highest margin of victory in Premier League history.
2020-21: Leicester hit new highs by lifting the FA Cup for the first time with a 1-0 victory over Chelsea. However, it could have been a season of much more, as their Europa League journey ended in the last-16 phase and they missed out on a top-four finish.
2021-22: Leicester defeated Manchester City to win the Community Shield and reached a first-ever continental semi-final in the Conference League. Their European dream came to an end against Jose Mourinho's eventual winners, Roma, in a heartbreaking defeat.
The Start of a Steep Decline
2022-23: This season marked where Leicester's real decline began. They suffered relegation from the top flight after a run of five defeats in six games dropped them into the relegation zone, leading to Rodgers' departure. Dean Smith's appointment did little to save them from the Championship.
2023-24: Leicester's stay in the second tier was short-lived. They secured promotion straight back to the Premier League by lifting the Championship trophy for a record eighth time, with Jamie Vardy bagging 20 goals, offering a glimmer of hope.
Recent Disasters and Current Crisis
2024-25: Their season in the top flight was a total disaster. Leicester fans never warmed to new boss Steve Cooper, who was sacked after just 12 games and replaced by Ruud van Nistelrooy. The Foxes suffered 15 defeats from 16 league games and were relegated in 18th place, a dismal performance.
2025-26: Leicester had an encouraging start under Marti Cifuentes, but things soon unravelled. The manager departed in January to be replaced by Gary Rowett. The following month, they were deducted six points before a run of one win from 18 matches left them on the verge of League One, just ten years after winning the Premier League, completing a dramatic and shocking fall from grace.
