Everything to know about Leicester’s Championship campaign

Now the dust has settled on what can only be described as a pitiful end to Leicester City’s nine-season stint in the Premier League. The Foxes now look forward to life in the Championship, however long that may be. Despite the very lucrative parachute payment they will receive, LCFC will be undoubtedly forced to make wholesale cuts, too what was the largest ever wage bill to be relegated in the English first division.

Unlike the Premier League transfer window, the EFL window opens roughly a month sooner – June 10 – giving an opportunity for the Foxes to start their Championship rebuild as soon as possible. Kick-off should be Friday, August 4. However, the fact that a new manager has yet too be appointed does give tremendous worry to the efficiency and coherent strategy to this attempt to achieve a promotion first time around.

Rob Tanner from The Athletic has made it clear that with the ominous outgoings of star performers such as Harvey Barnes and James Maddison, Leicester will more than likely have the largest budget in the division. Meaning the East Midlands club should be a very attractive destination for out of work managers, or coach’s coming off the back of a successful season. One name in particular that does gather remarkable interest is Kieran Mckenna of Ipswich Town.

The Irishman managed promotion in his second season in charge of the club. A feat which the side had been unable secure since their relegation to the third tier back in 2019. Ipswich also narrowly missed out on the League One title, finishing just three points behind winners Plymouth Argyle. One thing to point out to Leicester City fans is the exceptional goal record under Mckenna. His side managed to find the back of the net 101 times, the highest total in the division. A number significantly larger than champions Plymouth’s 82.

A manager like this would give great hope and joy back to Foxes fans, with a good sense of knowing how to achieve promotion in the football league. Something that Steven Gerrard – an alleged name on the manager shortlist – has not had any experience in. There is also potential in Scott Parker however with his track record, promotion may not be the issue. It would be once promoted would you likely need to look elsewhere. That isn’t the kind of institution Leicester City is and how it operates, the board like to give the manger a chance to turn things around. So Mckenna seems to fit that criteria a young fresh manager that you would expect to be given time and the money to start moulding his squad.

The spine of the team is already there: Daniel Iversen, Wout Faes, Harry Souttar, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jamie Vardy. A less than competent gaffer would likely to be at the worst, battling for promotion with that core of players. It is of course vital that the manager – who ever it may be – is appointed quickly so that the question marks over the squad and seemingly grey cloud can be removed and clarity to the fans can be given.

However, one thing Leicester City fans can be grateful for, is the amount of reasonably distanced away days on the horizon for next year. The likes of Coventry, Birmingham and West Brom. Just to name a few. It may give many supporters the nostalgic feel of travelling to these grounds, a feature of the campaign that has not been present since the LCFC’s promotion to the EPL back in 2014. There is a great opportunity for the outfit to regain that authentic feel back at King Power, the driving force that lead the Foxes to their fairy tale season back in 2015/16, and winning the Premier League title.