Despite the current malaise, it is important to remember that Leicester City, particulary at the Championship level, is a big club with wealthy owners and a sizeable and loyal fan base. Clearly, mistakes have been made, but there is a postive way forward if only the board take the right steps. Here, we suggest a number of pointers.
1. The managerial situation needs to be resolved sooner rather than later. It is asking a lot of the inexperienced Andy King to hold the fort for any length of time. The question, then, is what should the Foxes be looking for.
2. Leicester could seek to appoint a manager for the medium to long term. However, it doesn't make much sense to do this before a new technical director is on-board. Khun Top has, to say the least, divided opinion with his latest attempt to be more communicative with the club's supporters. What is undoubtedly correct, though, is his plan to refresh the board. Of crucial importance is the need to wrestle control of footballing matters from John Rudkin. The Leicester owner has angered and bewildered Foxes' fans by backing his Director of Football, but, to be honest, what else was he to say?
A new technical director can establish a style of play that the club should adopt and this can then drive decisions on managers, players and coaches.
3. Relegation is a distinct possibility this campaign given the likely points deduction that the club will face at some point. This necessitates the appointment of a manager to steady the ship until the end of the season. Various names - including Chris Coleman, Gary Rowett and Nigel Pearson - have been mentioned and all would be appropriate to help Andy King, although Rowett would seem to be the most sensible option given his recent experience of managing in the Championship. The reported audicious attempt to lure Enzo Maresca back to the King Power Stadium looks like a non-starter.
4. The signings in the January transfer window should serve the same purpose, to strengthen the squad in the short term in light of the players - Wout Faes, Boubakary Soumare - who have departed and those who are injured and suspended.
At the time of writing, the Foxes look like landing a number of loan signings. Midfielders Joe Aribo and Divine Mukasa, together with central defender Jamaal Lascelles, are said to be undergoing medicals, whilst Leicester have also been linked with former keeper Mads Hermansen - eager for first team football in the run up to the World Cup.
All of these incomings are sensible. The experienced Lascelles in particular is an astute signing. He was much in demand with a reported six Championship clubs after his signature.
5. In the summer, with a new technical director in place and having avoided the drop, Leicester can look to the longer term. A clear out of some highly-paid players - including, most notably, Harry Winks, should free up some funds to invest in the team.
Past recruitment mistakes have to be avoided. In particular, the basic wage paid needs to be lowered with more emphasis placed on bonuses based on results and performance.
There is no reason why Leicester shouldn't re-establish themselves as a footballing force. A lot needs to be done before this is achieved. The next few appointments will be crucial. The club cannot afford to repeat past mistakes.