Leicester City

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Former Leicester City winger Matt Piper has urged club chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha to "dig deep within himself" and "question" whether he would like to continue in his role at King Power Stadium, after taking on the responsibility in October 2018 following his father's tragic death.

Speaking on BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast, after the Foxes' relegation was sealed, Piper said: "The highest level of this football club hasn't been quite right for quite some time. There does need to be change and fresh ideas brought in at boardroom level.

"What's going to be massively important is whether the chairman is able to make some big decisions that can put us on the right pathway again.

"It baffles me that since he has been in charge, he has been very reluctant to make decisions and he seems a little bit too nice. He definitely hasn't got the ruthless streak that his father had.

"I think he really needs to dig deep within himself and think about whether this job is what he really wants moving forward.

"I get the feeling that he has taken something over that he maybe has no deep passion for. That's the first port of call - he needs to ask himself the difficult question and be able to answer it truthfully to move forward.

"If he does want to keep going - and he has the passion to see us back in the Premier League and winning things again - then he has to make difficult choices in the structure of the football club."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

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Former Leicester City winger Matt Piper says there was a "real feeling of despondency" from both the players and the supporters after the home defeat by Liverpool, which saw the Foxes' relegated from the Premier League for the second time in three seasons.

"We all knew it was coming," he said on BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast. "It is no big surprise that this club has dropped back down to Championship football.

"There is a sadness about it. There was anger earlier on in the season but, as time has gone on, that anger has dissipated and it is more disappointment.

"There is a real feeling of despondency from the crowd and the players.

"The players that pulled on the blue shirt against Liverpool you felt were running and fighting for the football club. They had the passion to wear the shirt - and that's what we have been asking for all season.

"We knew the quality was lacking in the early parts of the season, but you can always bridge that gap with hard work, endeavour and passion.

"We haven't seen anywhere near enough of that this season. I would include the manager, some of the hierarchy and the chairman in that.

"Unfortunately, when it has been collectively this poor, you are really going to struggle in the top flight of English football.

"We haven't deserved to be in Premier League this season - and that has been rectified now because we are back down into the Championship."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Leicester failed to learn their lessons from relegation two years ago, according to the Foxes Trust.

The club were relegated from the Premier League on Sunday after the 1-0 defeat by Liverpool left them 18 points adrift of safety with five games left.

They have made an immediate return to the Championship having lost 16 of their past 18 games and scoring just six times since 8 December.

Leicester were relegated in 2023, just two years after winning the FA Cup and seven years following their Premier League title triumph.

"We were obviously resigned to it." said Foxes Trust co-chair Lynn Wyeth. "For some time, I don't think anybody was under any illusion that the Great Escape had been on.

"People are angrier this time because it doesn't feel like we've learned from our mistakes from last time. I think it's the over-arching feeling of the club not being managed very well at the moment.

"It's not just about 'well, we weren't good enough'. The three teams that went up weren't good enough. We knew it was going to be a hard season but it was how we came down. It was the capitulation on the pitch. It was the lack of fight and then it's what a lot of fans see as mismanagement in so many areas of the club.

"Not just about really duff signings in the summer and letting contracts run out, it's some of the other stuff off the pitch, the fans feeling disconnected from the club,

"Years and years of loyalty don't seem to matter anymore. It doesn't feel like a family club. It's that Premier League corporate stuff coming in that disconnects you. All of it happening at once has just created a miserable season."

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We asked for your views after Leicester City's relegation was confirmed by defeat at home by Liverpool on Saturday.

Here are some of your comments:

Phil: We don't have much of a base to build on in the Championship and are in danger of following Luton. With hindsight, Steve Cooper should have been retained and could have developed the young players we will now have to rely on. We need a new manager, but who will want to take this massive job on?

James: The club needs a clear-out from top to bottom The manager has to go as does several players and start again next season.

Carl: Leicester started well but faded. It is clear the fitness levels of all players are not where they should be. This new training ground is too good and the club have gone backwards since it opened. The players are spoiled! Time for Vardy to retire - thank you Jamie. A club legend. The rest need to leave, every one of them including Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Roy: A much better performance from Leicester, but even so Liverpool really should have won a lot more comfortably than the 1-0 that they actually did win by. Leicester need a reset for next season in the Championship.

Ramona: Leicester should never have gotten rid of Cooper, they didn't give him a chance. At least Leicester were scoring under him! Fans just couldn't see past him being at Forest.

Mark: Never going to get anything. A season to forget. Couldn't attract players at the start of the season due to the threat of a points deduction then there was no money available for the January window. Need to take a long look at what the club expects next season.

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Leicester's inevitable relegation is finally confirmed and now the club can seek clarity.

Sunday's defeat by Liverpool confirmed the drop but it had been coming for a long time. After 16 defeats in the past 18 games, it may even come as a relief.

It allows the Foxes to move forward and decisions have to be made over Ruud van Nistelrooy's future, with his appointment in November failing to stop the club's slide towards the Championship.

The Dutchman said there was no date set for talks with the club's hierarchy over his future but knows time is of the essence.

"The club has to use this time, otherwise you will waste it," he said. "In a situation like this, you have to sit very carefully with the club to discuss the matters.

"I'm focused and taking my responsibility to do the best things for things for the football club, the future and next season.

"Performances like Brighton and the Liverpool game are signs the players are willing to do that and finish the season the best way possible the new season will start and continue.

"We have to take responsibility and that's what I'm doing for the next five weeks and after that we have to see."

Highlights and analysis from Sunday's four Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from the rest of the weekend.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch Saturday's Match of the Day here.

Listen back to Sunday's full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Ipswich Town 0-4 Arsenal

• Manchester United 0-1 Wolves

• Leicester City 0-1 Liverpool

The latest episode of BBC Radio Leicester's 'When You're Smiling' podcast has landed.

The team discuss Leicester City's confirmed relegation to the Championship with five games to go after a defeat to Liverpool.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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Leicester City boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live about being relegated: "I'm very disappointed that it's a definite now. We kept hoping and fighting, but over the last weeks we saw the gap growing.

"Then you see it coming, although we never gave up and we shifted the focus towards the future to use these games and finish the season as best as possible. Next season the Championship will start and it is my job to do the best things possible for the club.

"I'm working in the coming weeks, it is my job to do everything in the best interests of Leicester City."

On his future: "I'm waiting on the clarity of the club and how they want to continue. It is the goal to lead the club. I have to wait on how the club sees things and take it from there."

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Leicester defender Conor Coady, speaking to Sky Sports after relegation to the Championship was confirmed: "We've not been good enough all season. I thought we played quite well today, moved the ball well and nullified Liverpool - they're a world-class side. But we look back on this season and it's not been anywhere near good enough.

"We've got to look at ourselves as players in the mirror. We have to now, what's happened has happened. We have to try and put this club in a better position come the summer because we haven't been good enough.

"We've took a bit of stick and we'll continue to take stick because it's deserved. From minute one this season, we haven't been at a level to fully compete in the Premier League and you have to be because it'll chew you up and spit you out.

"It's something we have to look at because we're absolutely devastated."

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Leicester have been relegated from the Premier League for the fifth time (1994-95, 2001-02, 2003-04, 2022-23, and 2024-25), with only Norwich (6) and West Brom (5) ever suffering more relegations in the competition.

Leicester have become the first team in top-flight history to go nine consecutive home league games without scoring. Today was also the first league match at the King Power Stadium in which they've failed to land a shot on target since February 2023 (0 v Arsenal).

Were you at the game or following elsewhere?

Have your say on Leicester's performance

What did you make of Liverpool's display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Four matches make up Sunday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Fulham v Chelsea

• Ipswich v Arsenal

• Manchester United v Wolves

• Leicester v Liverpool (16:30 BST)

All kick-off times 14:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Leicester ended their long losing run with a draw at Brighton last weekend, but I'm afraid another defeat is on its way for the Foxes here.

Liverpool were as limp as anything against West Ham last time out, but they still got over the line. They could be even limper against Leicester, and they will still win to move even closer to the title.

Sutton's prediction: 0-3

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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Leicester City defender Conor Coady says the club being on the brink of a second relegation in three seasons is "not good enough" and has left him "devastated".

It is possible the Foxes' fate could have been sealed before they kick off against Liverpool on Sunday, if results go against them.

"We can't look too far ahead because we are not in a situation where we can affect anything. We are nowhere near good enough to the teams above us. We can't look at that," said Coady.

"Just show yourself, give the best to yourself every single day. And no matter what happens, we go in the summer and put this club in the best place it can be.

"I never had a relegation in my career. This club is on the verge of having two in three years. It's not good enough. I am absolutely devastated and it's not something I've ever wanted for this club or in my career."

Coady also said the players should make the most of Sunday's opportunity to face Liverpool, who are a maximum of six points away from sealing the title.

"These games don't come around too often," he added. "Given the situation we are in now, we might never get these games again.

"Go and enjoy them. Go and enjoy playing at King Power Stadium against a world-class team on the verge of winning the Premier League title."

Phil Cartwright
BBC Sport journalist

Leicester City boss Ruud van Nistelrooy has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Liverpool at King Power Stadium (kick-off 16:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• The Foxes' relegation could be confirmed before they play on Sunday, although they will definitely be down if they fail to beat the Premier League leaders. Van Nistelrooy said: "We've been in these circumstances [in the bottom three] for a long time. It's not a matter of it being mathematically done or not, it's about us showing ourselves in every possible way for every minute we're in this league. It doesn't affect that bit."

• The former Netherlands striker added: "It's a bigger thing here. We're trying to shape a future here and those weeks are vital for every player. That is what keeps us going."

• Van Nistelrooy reported no new injury concerns, while Wout Faes and Jeremy Monga are likely to be back in full training on Friday and available for Sunday's game.

• He said it was a "big moment" for Abdul Fatawu to return to training on grass, as he continues his recovery from the serious knee injury he sustained in November.

• Asked about the positives from last weekend's 2-2 draw at Brighton, when the Foxes ended their long goal drought, Van Nistelrooy said his side gave a "spirited performance" and it is "something to build on".

• On Liverpool, who could be confirmed as Premier League champions on Sunday: "The general quality of the squad is very balanced. Mohamed Salah's form has been a huge factor in them achieving their goals, and also Arne Slot and his assistants have done a tremendous job in their first season to be in this position to be able to win it."

Listen to commentary of Leicester v Liverpool on BBC Radio 5 Live at 16:30 on Sunday

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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Former Leicester City striker Matty Fryatt says the club and the players are devoid of belief and fight and blamed "poor recruitment" as one of the fundamental reasons the season has turned out the way it has.

The Foxes find themselves 18th in the Premier League table and needing to win all of their remaining games and hope that either West Ham or Wolves do not win a single game if they are to survive.

Speaking on BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast, Fryatt said: "There's no belief, there's no fight, that's all left them, which is understandable. Haven't been scoring goals, been conceding goals far too easily.

"And as the season has gone on, the gap has got even bigger. Leicester have been really poor.

"You can look at it many ways - the recruitment hasn't been good enough. The players that have come in haven't made much of a difference. Some of them aren't even in matchday squads. And then you've obviously lost key players.

"It's been a really difficult season. Leicester's recruitment has been poor."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds.

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Leicester City have won just two of their past 13 Premier League games against Liverpool (D1 L10), with those coming consecutively at home in 2021 (3-1 in February and 1-0 in December).

The Foxes are looking to avoid becoming the first side in top-flight history to go nine consecutive home games without scoring a goal. In Football League history, only Mansfield Town in the third tier between August and December 1971 (9) and Wolves in the second tier between December 1984 and April 1985 (10) have achieved this unwanted feat.

Mohamed Salah has scored in all five of Liverpool's Premier League games against newly promoted sides this season (seven goals). No player in the competition's history has scored in six separate matches against promoted clubs in one campaign.

We asked for your views on Leicester City and things that are not being talked about at the club but should be.

Here are some of your comments:

Nick: Keep players who want to play for this club. Need to get rid of a lot of dead wood.

Jim: I would suggest they try hard to get rid of several players who are not up to standard. Van Nistelrooy's idea of promoting the young players is sound and a really good team could be developed over the next few seasons. Keep Vardy. Give him a job at the club. Perhaps as a forwards coach. They must eventually come back to the Premier League but as a far better team and better organised.

Ian: Leicester City has been supplying the Premier League with some of the best players and sold them to the top six for years. A state-of-the-art training facility and a dream come true history. Is it time to sell the club to investors who can continue Leicester City's legacy for years to come?

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In the latest episode of BBC World Service's World Football podcast, we bring together two sports not usually associated with each other - football and snooker.

That's because four-time world snooker champion Mark Selby's career has been strongly linked to his hometown football club, Leicester City.

He became world champion for the second time on the night of the Foxes' iconic Premier League title win in 2016.

As he prepares to try to add another world title to his collection at the World Championship at the Crucible in Sheffield, he has been telling John Bennett about his footballing passion.

Listen now on BBC Sounds

Leicester's fate is almost sealed and their Premier League survival hopes are hanging by a thread.

But is there something else that is slipping under the radar? What is the one thing - good or bad - nobody is talking about in relation to Leicester?

Let us know your thoughts here