A decade ago, in September 2016, Leicester City were preparing to take part in the UEFA Champions League, a pinnacle that seemed to promise sustained success for the club. Fast forward to the present day, and the Foxes find themselves languishing in 17th place in League One, the lowest tier they have ever occupied since joining the Football League in 1894.
The dramatic fall from a top‑flight European campaign to the brink of relegation in the third division has left supporters stunned and desperate for answers. Since taking charge, Russell Martin has overseen just a single victory in the first five league fixtures, a run that culminated in a humiliating 4-0 defeat at home to Oxford United on Saturday. The home crowd, fed up with the poor performances, began chanting “you’re getting sacked in the morning” as the manager stood on the touchline at the King Power Stadium.
Martin, whose reputation had already been tarnished by a disastrous spell at Southampton and a challenging stint at Rangers, was clearly under intense pressure to deliver a quick turnaround. Former Leicester assistant manager Michael Appleton believes there is still a chance for Martin to steer the ship back on course. Speaking on Sky Sports’ The EFL Show, Appleton acknowledged the gravity of the situation: “It’s a difficult moment, there’s no doubt about it. Russell Martin is a very experienced guy now.
It was always going to be a difficult job, with big expectations from a club that not too long ago was playing in the Premier League and winning the Premier League.” Appleton noted that Martin’s record across his three recent appointments – Southampton, Rangers and Leicester – amounts to only three league wins in 28 attempts, a statistic that underscores the enormity of the challenge he faces. Appleton stressed that the early season defeats, especially the 4-0 loss at home, have created a “very difficult start.” He warned that the Foxes must begin winning matches promptly if they hope to avoid a prolonged slide. “He’ll draw on those experiences and maybe use them behind the scenes with the players and staff, speaking about how they dealt with those situations and trying to keep everyone calm,” Appleton said.
He added that while the home defeat to Oxford was particularly painful, the real test will be how quickly Martin can reverse the trend and restore confidence among the squad and supporters. Reading co‑CEO Joe Jacobson offered another perspective, pointing to the inexperience of Leicester’s current roster as a key factor hampering progress. “They’ve got a really young team at the minute,” Jacobson observed. “You look at the players they’re bringing off the bench and they’re taking off experienced players and bringing on younger ones.” He argued that the pressure of performing in front of a demanding fan base can be overwhelming for youthful players still finding their feet in senior football.
Jacobson also highlighted the strained relationship between the club’s ownership and its supporters. Recent statements indicating that Leicester is up for sale have sparked mistrust among fans, who feel the owners are more interested in exiting the business than investing in its future.
“When they recently came out and talked about wanting to sell the club and actively looking for a buyer, straight away the fans almost say, ‘Well, you don’t care now. You just want out. That’s your main focus,’” Jacobson explained. This sentiment mirrors his experience at Reading, where ownership uncertainty also eroded fan confidence.
Despite the turmoil, both Appleton and Jacobson remain cautiously optimistic. Appleton reminded listeners that Martin has previously turned around a struggling side at Southampton, guiding them from a four‑game losing streak in September to an unbeaten run that lasted until February. “If he can turn the ship, he might start to get a tune out of some of those players,” Jacobson said, suggesting that Martin’s tactical acumen and motivational skills could still produce a resurgence.
Looking ahead, Leicester’s next challenge is a trip to Edgeley Park to face Stockport County, who sit third in League One. The Hatters, who a decade ago were competing in the National League North, now enter the match as favorites, making the fixture a stern test for Martin’s side. A positive result could provide a much‑needed morale boost, while a further defeat would deepen the crisis. The broader context of Leicester’s decline cannot be ignored.
The club’s meteoric rise to Premier League champions in 2016 remains a defining chapter in English football, yet the subsequent years have seen a series of managerial changes, financial constraints, and fluctuating performances that have eroded that legacy. The current ownership, led by the King Power Group, faces criticism for perceived lack of investment and transparency, especially in light of the recent sale rumors. Fans are yearning for stability, clear ambition, and a tangible plan to climb back up the league ladder.
In terms of tactical considerations, Martin has attempted to implement a possession‑based style reminiscent of his previous teams, but the lack of seasoned midfielders and reliable defenders has made execution difficult. The defensive frailties were starkly exposed in the Oxford game, where the Foxes conceded four goals without mounting a credible response. To rectify this, Martin may need to adjust his formation, perhaps adopting a more pragmatic 4-4-2 or a compact 5-3-2 that offers greater defensive solidity while still allowing creative players to thrive. Furthermore, the club’s recruitment policy will be under scrutiny.
Bringing in experienced campaigners on loan or short‑term deals could provide the leadership missing from the current squad. Simultaneously, nurturing the club’s academy prospects—who have historically produced talent like Jamie Vardy—could offer a sustainable pathway forward, but this requires patience and a supportive environment that the current fan unrest does not readily provide. Ultimately, the question remains: can Russell Martin reverse Leicester’s fortunes before the season spirals beyond recovery?
The answer will depend on his ability to harness the limited experience within the squad, restore belief among a disillusioned fan base, and deliver results when they matter most. If he can secure a win against Stockport and begin to steady the ship, there may yet be hope for a revival. If not, the club may face a prolonged period of struggle, potentially culminating in another relegation battle. The coming weeks will be decisive for both Martin’s tenure and Leicester City’s long‑term trajectory.