A decade ago, in September 2016, Leicester City were preparing for a Champions League campaign, a pinnacle that seemed to signal a bright future for the club. Fast forward to the present day, and the Foxes find themselves languishing in 17th place in League One – the lowest rung they have ever occupied since joining the Football League back in 1894. The stark contrast between those two moments underscores just how precipitously the club’s fortunes have slipped. Since taking the helm, Russell Martin has overseen just a single victory in his first five league outings.
The most recent setback came on Saturday when Oxford United thrashed Leicester 4‑0 on home soil at the King Power Stadium. The defeat sparked a chorus of chants from the supporters, many of whom shouted, “You’re getting sacked in the morning,” a clear reflection of the mounting frustration directed at Martin. The manager, who was hoping for a strong start to rehabilitate his reputation after a troubled spell at Southampton and a challenging tenure at Rangers, now faces intense scrutiny. Despite the gloom, there are voices that believe Martin can still steer the ship back on course.
Former Leicester City assistant manager Michael Appleton expressed confidence in the manager’s ability to turn things around during an interview on The EFL Show on Sky Sports News. Appleton acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, noting that “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 highlighted Martin’s overall record, pointing out that he has secured only three league wins across his managerial stints at Southampton, Rangers and Leicester since the start of the 2024/25 season – a total of three victories in 28 attempts. He stressed that the pressure is immense, especially after a 4‑0 home loss and disappointing results against Plymouth and Burton.
“They've got to start winning games very quickly to address it,” Appleton warned. Nevertheless, Appleton believes Martin’s past experiences could become an asset. He suggested that the manager might draw on the lessons learned at previous clubs, using those insights to calm the dressing room and guide the players through adversity. “It’s still very early and there are some good games coming up for them,” he added, emphasizing that a string of defeats feels particularly painful when they occur at home.
Appleton concluded that, despite the heavy expectations, Martin appears comfortable with the challenge. Adding another perspective, Reading co‑CEO Joe Jacobson commented on the squad’s youth and inexperience, arguing that this is a key factor hampering Leicester’s progress this season. He observed, “They've got a really young team at the minute. You look at the players they're bringing off the bench and they're taking off experienced players and bringing on younger ones.” Jacobson noted that these younger players are feeling the pressure of a demanding atmosphere, with fans eager for a turnaround after several turbulent years.
Jacobson also drew parallels with Martin’s earlier spell at Southampton, recalling how the Saints lost four consecutive games in September before embarking on an unbeaten run that lasted until February. He suggested that if Martin can replicate that resilience at Leicester, the team might start to find its rhythm and extract better performances from its players. Beyond on‑field issues, Jacobson highlighted a growing disconnect between the club’s ownership and its supporters. The recent announcement that Leicester is up for sale has stirred unease among fans, reminiscent of a similar situation at Reading.
“When the owners openly say they want to sell, it’s really difficult for the fans to buy into that,” Jacobson explained. He warned that this uncertainty can further divide the fan base, making it harder for the team to rally behind a common purpose. Despite these challenges, Jacobson remains optimistic about the season’s prospects, believing that with more training time under Martin’s guidance, the players will improve. He acknowledged the current anxiety among supporters but expressed confidence that, once the squad gels, Leicester can regain its footing.
Looking ahead, Martin’s next test comes against Stockport County, currently sitting third in League One. The match will be played at Edgeley Park, where Stockport, once a National League North side a decade ago, now enjoys a reputation as a strong contender. Leicester will enter the fixture as favorites, but the result will be a crucial barometer of whether Martin can halt the slide and begin to rebuild confidence.
In summary, Leicester City’s descent to a historic low under Russell Martin is stark, but the narrative is not yet finished. Experienced voices like Michael Appleton and Joe Jacobson see potential for redemption, pointing to Martin’s prior hardships as a possible source of resilience. The club’s youthful roster, ownership uncertainties, and fervent fan expectations create a complex backdrop. The upcoming clash with Stockport County will be an early indicator of whether the Foxes can start to climb out of the abyss and restore a semblance of the pride they once enjoyed in the Premier League era.