Leicester City has been relegated from the English Premier League for the second time in two years after losing to Liverpool by a single goal.
Leicester City recorded its 23rd defeat of the season, confirming its drop to the Championship for next season.
### Fragile Framework
Leicester City won the Championship title last season with great difficulty and entered the Premier League amidst the challenges of profitability and sustainability.
As a result, Steve Cooper, the team’s new manager, faced significant challenges in strengthening the squad during the summer transfer window. The duo of Oliver Skipp and Bilal الخنوس joined for £20 million ($26.6 million) after the season had started, but they did not meet the desired quality.
It quickly became apparent that Leicester City was struggling to score goals, especially with star player Jamie Vardy nearing the end of his career, as the team’s composition was not competitive enough in the Championship.
### Fans’ Fury
Despite winning a title last season, Leicester’s fans expressed their strong displeasure at not hiring coach Enzo Maresca, who moved to Chelsea, while Steve Cooper, the former Nottingham Forest manager, was appointed instead.
Cooper failed to win the hearts of Leicester fans due to his playing style. After his dismissal last December, the fans turned their ire toward Jon Rudkin, the sporting director.
The season witnessed protests and empty seats in Leicester’s stands, and success next season requires mending relationships and restoring balance between the fans and the club management.
### Van Nistelrooy’s Struggles
Dutch coach Ruud van Nistelrooy earned four points from his first two matches after taking over from Cooper. At that time, the team was 16th in the league, just five points clear of the relegation zone, looking to improve its position.
However, Leicester City then plunged into a disastrous spiral, losing 16 out of 18 matches, with the latest defeat coming against Liverpool.
Van Nistelrooy’s popularity gradually diminished over the weeks, and his chances of staying with the team after the season appeared exceedingly slim.
With the team’s relegation confirmed, the future of the Dutch coach will become clearer.
### Goal Drought
Leicester City dropped numerous matches due to their inability to find the back of the net.
Last week, Leicester drew 2-2 with Brighton, scoring for the first time after eight consecutive league matches without a goal, while they failed to score at home in nine straight matches since December 8.
Leicester City also struggled defensively, conceding 73 goals, allowing four goals in five different matches.
