A decade ago, in September 2016, Leicester City were gearing up for a Champions League campaign, a testament to the heights the club had reached just a few years earlier. Fast forward to today, and the Foxes find themselves languishing in 17th place in League One – the lowest rung they have ever occupied since their admission to the Football League in 1894. Under the stewardship of Russell Martin, Leicester have managed only a single victory in their opening five fixtures of the 2024/25 season.
The most recent setback was a crushing 4-0 defeat on home turf at the King Power Stadium at the hands of Oxford United. The disappointment was palpable; supporters could be heard chanting, "You're getting sacked in the morning," a stark reflection of the frustration and urgency felt by the fanbase. Martin, who arrived at Leicester after a troubled spell at Southampton and a challenging tenure at Rangers, was hoping for a swift positive start to rebuild his reputation. Despite the bleak start, there are voices that believe a turnaround is possible.
Former Leicester City assistant manager Michael Appleton expressed confidence in Martin’s ability to steer the ship back on course. Speaking on Sky Sports News' The EFL Show, Appleton acknowledged the difficulty of the situation but highlighted Martin’s growing experience.
"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," he said. Appleton noted that Martin has secured just three league wins across his managerial career at Southampton, Rangers, and now Leicester, spanning 28 attempts. The pressure to deliver is immense, especially after a 4-0 loss at home and earlier setbacks against Plymouth and Burton Albion.
"They've got to start winning games very quickly to address it," Appleton warned. He also pointed out that Martin’s past experiences at clubs with high expectations could serve as a valuable learning tool. "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 added. Appleton emphasized the psychological impact of heavy home defeats, noting that losing 4-0 at the King Power Stadium feels far worse than a similar loss away.
Yet he remained optimistic, believing that Martin is comfortable with the challenge and that upcoming fixtures could provide a platform for recovery. On the other side of the commentary, Reading co‑CEO Joe Jacobson highlighted the inexperience of Leicester’s current squad as a key factor hampering progress. "They've got a really young team at the minute," Jacobson observed. He explained that the club is frequently substituting seasoned players for younger ones, placing a considerable burden on the newcomers who must cope with the intense pressure of performing in front of a demanding crowd.
Jacobson stressed that the fanbase’s patience has been eroded over recent years, making it harder for supporters to rally behind the team. Jacobson also drew parallels with Martin’s previous stint at Southampton, where the team endured a four‑game losing streak in September before embarking on 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 suggested, implying that Martin’s past resilience could inspire a similar resurgence at Leicester. Furthermore, Jacobson addressed the 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 ownership turbulence experienced at Reading. "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, he warned, makes it even more challenging for supporters to trust the club’s direction.
Despite these obstacles, Jacobson remains hopeful that Leicester can still enjoy a successful season if the players receive sufficient training time under Martin’s guidance. He acknowledged the current anxiety and division among fans, but believed that a united effort could restore confidence.
Looking ahead, Leicester’s next challenge is an away match against Stockport County, who sit third in League One. Stockport, once a National League North side a decade ago, now host the Foxes at Edgeley Park as clear favorites. This fixture presents a crucial opportunity for Martin to demonstrate his tactical acumen and for the young Leicester squad to gain much‑needed momentum. In summary, Leicester City’s descent to a historic low under Russell Martin is undeniable, yet there are multiple perspectives suggesting a possible revival.
Experienced voices like Appleton see Martin’s past hardships as a reservoir of knowledge that could be leveraged to steady the ship. Meanwhile, internal critiques point to squad youth and ownership uncertainty as factors that need addressing.
The upcoming games, particularly the test against Stockport County, will be pivotal in determining whether Martin can halt the decline and begin the arduous journey back toward the higher tiers of English football.