Brendan Rodgers Departs Leicester as Foxes Struggle in Relegation Zone

It’s official: Brendan Rodgers has left Leicester City Football Club. The Northern Irishman spent a little over two years in charge of the Foxes, leading them to a ninth-place finish in his first full season and then to fifth place the following year. However, this season has been a different story, with the toothless Foxes struggling in the relegation zone.

Rodgers’ Time at Leicester

When Rodgers took over at Leicester back in February 2019, few expected him to achieve anything significant. After all, he had walked out on his last job at Celtic mid-season, and his appointment was met with some degree of scepticism. However, Rodgers quickly won over the Leicester faithful with his attacking style of play and his willingness to give young players a chance.

Under Rodgers, Leicester City began to play some of the most exciting football in the Premier League, and the likes of James Maddison and Harvey Barnes flourished. The Foxes finished ninth in the 2018/19 season, a commendable achievement considering the relative lack of investment in the squad.

A Fifth-place Finish

Last season was even better for Leicester, as they finished fifth in the Premier League, just outside the Champions League places. The Foxes were among the highest scorers in the league, with Jamie Vardy winning the Golden Boot with 23 goals. Many expected Leicester to push on this season and challenge for a place in the top four.

Struggling in the Relegation Zone

However, things have not gone to plan this season. Leicester started well, winning their first three games, but since then, they have struggled. They have won just three of their last 13 league matches, losing nine. The Foxes’ defence has been porous, conceding 31 goals in 16 matches, the second-worst record in the league after West Bromwich Albion.

Rodgers Departure

The writing was on the wall for Rodgers when Leicester were thrashed 4-1 by Liverpool last weekend. Rumours of a departure began to circulate, and on Tuesday, it was confirmed that the Northern Irishman was leaving Leicester. In a statement, Rodgers said: “It’s been an honour to manage such a fantastic club, but with the team in the relegation zone, I feel it’s time for me to move on.”

The Next Manager

With Rodgers departed, Leicester must now look for a new manager to turn their fortunes around. Several names have been mentioned, including former Chelsea boss Frank Lampard and ex-Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson. Whoever takes over will have their work cut out, as the Foxes are currently four points adrift of safety and face a tough run of fixtures in the coming weeks.

Conclusion

Brendan Rodgers’ departure from Leicester City marks the end of an era for the Foxes. The Northern Irishman brought some of the most exciting football to Leicester in recent memory, but ultimately, he was unable to turn things around this season. The next manager will have a tough job on their hands, but if they can get the Foxes firing again, there is no reason why they can’t climb out of the relegation zone and back up the table. #SPORT