Leicester City’s season has started in almost the worst possible fashion, with just one point taken from the opening seven games. This ludicrously lousy run of form has included facing five of the top six but there can be no excuses for some of the performances. As fans get increasingly agitated with the inaction around key issues, those at the top must also be scrutinised rather than just those on the pitch and in the dugout.
The issue of Brendan Rodgers can be described as the elephant in the room, yet it is one that the board has seemingly shied away from dealing with. Although the Northern Irishman has lost six games on the bounce, the board has seemingly given him the vote of confidence time and again.
Having covered the issues around the manager many times already, it seems fruitless to repeat them. Ultimately, no matter how good he is as a manager, it is pretty clear he has lost the support of most players. When this occurs, there can only be one course of action, him being relieved of his duties. Needless to say, the present debacle cannot be solely pinned on Rodgers’ shoulders.
The financial issues surrounding the club have hamstrung recent transfer business, forcing the sale of Wesley Fofana and preventing a quality replacement for Kasper Schmeichel. The COVID-19 pandemic was one that was out of anyone’s control but impacted King Power disproportionately, and resultantly has crippled Khun Top Srivaddhanaprabha’s net worth.
Additionally, Leicester City face projected losses of over £100m and after a warning from UEFA, it is understandable that belts have had to be tightened. This is in addition to infrastructural investment in both the training ground and stadium, both necessary to the long-term future of the club and allowing it to challenge sustainably.
Nevertheless, it seems baffling how the club would risk the £150m cost of relegation by avoiding paying the £10m clause to terminate Rodgers’ contract. Furthermore, it seems unlikely that ground capacity would be increased if Khun Top was willing to risk the threat of relegation. There is no point sacrificing short-term security in exchange for long-term improvements which would be nullified if LCFC were relegated. Yet, under Brendan Rodgers, LCFC faces a very real threat of relegation. These two parallels just simply do not stack up. Please now select the below option to view the final page of this article.
It must be said before any further criticism that nearly every City fan is incredibly grateful for everything the Srivaddhanaprabha family has done for the club. Their leadership has brought LCFC from a mid-table Championship outfit into one that has consistently challenged the elite. Despite the current struggles, they have also reaffirmed their commitment to the club.
Nevertheless, this cannot make Khun Top and the board immune from criticism. After all, this situation provides the first real acid test under his leadership. All managerial changes before being decided by his father, apart from Claude Puel’s dismissal which was as straightforward as it gets. Yet this inaction has led to some questioning whether he possesses the mettle of Khun Vichai, his late father.
Past achievements must be given sufficient reverence, but the present is what matters at the end of the day. Just tell that to Claudio Ranieri who learnt the hard way. Of course, our owners have done a great deal more than any manager and it would be flippant to call for their heads despite the current predicament.
Alternatively, a wise decision may be to sell a minority stake in the club to outside investment, in order to reduce the financial constraints on the club. West Ham United have shown how this has allowed greater investment. Whatever happens, the current situation cannot be allowed to continue or Khun Top may risk undoing the LCFC legacy his father worked so hard to create.