Foxes of Leicester
Fansided

History suggests immediate promotion for Leicester is unlikely

By Robert Garner

The official EFL Championship match ball during the Sky Bet Championship between Burnley and Sheffield United at Turf Moor on April 10, 2023 in Burnley, United Kingdom. (Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)
The official EFL Championship match ball during the Sky Bet Championship between Burnley and Sheffield United at Turf Moor on April 10, 2023 in Burnley, United Kingdom. (Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images) /
twitterredditfacebook

On the face of it, the chances of the Foxes achieving promotion from the Championship this season would seem to be pretty good. An ambitious choice of manager from the top team in the land was a good start to the summer rebuild. Parachute payments help to soften the blow of relegation and – despite losing James Maddison and Harvey Barnes for sizeable fees – the Leicester City squad has been strengthened with proven talent.

Previous experience, though, suggests that getting back into the Premier League might not be as easy as has been suggested by the bookmakers and the pundits, and hoped for by the fans. Indeed, throughout its history, Leicester have spent more seasons (62) in the second tier of English football than in the first (55).

Following their previous 11 relegations from the English top-flight Leicester City have bounced back immediately only twice (in 1995-6 and 2002-3). On five occasions, it has taken two seasons, once (1987-1994) seven seasons and once (1946-54) eight seasons. Ominously, the last time the club was relegated from the Premier League (2003-4) it took as many as ten seasons to get back.

Leicester are by no means alone in finding it difficult to return quickly to the EPL. As Amitai Winehouse has shown in his article in The Athletic, since the 1995-6 season, only about a quarter of the 81 teams relegated from the EPL have gone straight back up. Of the others, most have since returned (although not Barnsley, Portsmouth, Wigan and Sunderland) but for most of them it took more than four seasons.

Perhaps the most startling fact of all is that of the 22 clubs who competed in the Premier League’s first season (1992-3) only 11 remain. Fans of clubs such as Sheffield Wednesday, Wimbledon, Coventry City and Oldham Athletic – inaugural members all – will confirm that participation in the English top-flight should not be taken for granted.

Next. Leicester aim to sign Man United prospect as Ndidi targeted. dark

There is now a much bigger wealth gap between England’s first division and the Football League than there was, and the financial advantage possessed by relegated teams is now that much greater. This element may tip the balance in the King Power side‘s favour and, next May, the club could well be celebrating. Only time will tell.