The year in view
It has been another momentous year for Leicester City. At the turn of 2024, the Foxes were eight points clear of Ipswich at the top of the second tier and a full 11 points ahead of Southampton in third place. Reading’s record Championship haul of 106 point was in sight. In the event, a stutter in the early part of the year at one time put promotion in doubt but a recovery towards the end of the season secured the title for City following a 3-0 victory over Preston North End at Deepdale on 29th April. It was the 13th time in the club’s history that they had won promotion to the top-flight.
Life back in the Premier League was never going to be easy. As I previously wrote, it is always a struggle for promoted teams to find their feet. In only four of the 32 top-flight seasons between 1993/4 and 2023/24 have no promoted clubs been relegated. On the other hand, only twice, in 1996/97 and 2023/24, have all three promoted clubs gone down.
Under normal circumstances, then, it would be a struggle to survive. But Leicester have faced additional problems. Enzo Marasca departed for Stamford Bridge and took Kiernan Dewsbury Hall with him. In addition, the club were looking at a points deduction for breaking profit and sustainability rules. That fear ultimately vanished, but it is undoubtedly the case that it negatively impacted on the Foxes ability to attract top players and managerial candidates in the summer. In the event, the appointment of Steve Cooper didn’t work out. The season started reasonably well but several heavy defeats towards the end of the year plunged City into the relegation zone.