Leicester City’s improbable journey from Premier League champions to relegation and back again is one of the most dramatic and remarkable stories in modern football. Their rise to the top of English football, led by manager Claudio Ranieri, is a tale of underdogs defying the odds, while their subsequent struggles and eventual return to the top flight after a stint in the Championship is a testament to the unpredictable nature of football.

The Fairy Tale of 2015/16: Premier League Champions

Leicester City shocked the footballing world in the 2015/16 season by winning the Premier League title, defying astronomical odds of 5000/1 that bookmakers had given them at the start of the campaign. Having finished 14th in the previous season, Leicester’s rise was not just unexpected—it was nearly unthinkable.

Under the management of Claudio Ranieri, Leicester finished 10 points clear of second-place Arsenal, accumulating a total of 81 points. The title was secured on May 2, 2016, when Tottenham Hotspur’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea confirmed Leicester’s top position. The Foxes’ success was built on consistency and resilience, rather than spectacular performances against top clubs. Despite losing both league matches to Arsenal and a Boxing Day defeat to Liverpool, they were the most consistent team in a season in which traditional powerhouses like Chelsea, Manchester United, and Manchester City faltered.

Key to Leicester’s success were standout performances from several players. Jamie Vardy, their prolific striker, set a Premier League record by scoring in 11 consecutive games. Riyad Mahrez, the brilliant winger, won the PFA Player of the Year award and played a crucial role in Leicester’s attack. The team also benefited from the leadership of captain Wes Morgan, solid defensive performances from Robert Huth and Christian Fuchs, and the energy of midfielders N’Golo Kanté and Danny Drinkwater.

Leicester’s success was also marked by their unusual squad rotation. With only 23 players used in the league that season, the squad remained largely injury-free and fit, an important factor in their unprecedented run to the title.

The Aftermath: A Gradual Decline

Following their historic triumph, Leicester faced the difficult challenge of maintaining their place among England’s elite clubs. Although their 2016/17 season ended with a top-half finish in the Premier League, the squad began to lose some of the key players that had made their title win possible.

The first major departure came with N’Golo Kanté, who moved to Chelsea in the summer of 2016 for a £32 million transfer. Kanté had been a driving force in midfield during Leicester’s title-winning campaign and his loss was keenly felt. Riyad Mahrez followed suit in 2018, moving to Manchester City for a club-record £60 million fee, further depleting Leicester’s title-winning core.

Other notable exits included goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who departed for French club Nice, and players like Danny Drinkwater and Christian Fuchs, who also left to pursue new opportunities. Meanwhile, manager Claudio Ranieri, who had orchestrated the fairytale title win, was sacked in February 2017 after a disappointing start to the following season. Ranieri’s departure marked the end of an era for the Foxes, and despite efforts to rebuild, Leicester could never quite replicate their magical form from 2015/16.

Over the following seasons, Leicester remained competitive but struggled to maintain the consistency that had been key to their success. They finished mid-table in the Premier League in most seasons, with occasional flirtations with European competitions. However, the gradual erosion of their title-winning squad, compounded by the loss of key players, meant that Leicester was increasingly seen as a team with potential, rather than a contender for the top spot.

Relegation in 2023: A Shocking Fall

Leicester’s fortunes took a dramatic downturn in the 2022/23 season, as the team found itself fighting relegation. Despite their best efforts, they were unable to avoid the drop, finishing 18th in the Premier League and joining Southampton and Leeds United in the relegation zone. It was a shocking fall for a club that had so recently been at the pinnacle of English football.

Several factors contributed to Leicester’s relegation. The departure of key players in recent years, combined with managerial instability, meant that the team had struggled to find cohesion and consistency. Leicester had also been heavily reliant on their aging stars like Jamie Vardy and Marc Albrighton, while new signings failed to make the same impact as the title-winning team.

The Foxes’ relegation marked the end of an era, but they remained hopeful for a swift return to the Premier League.

Leicester’s Rebirth and Hopes for the Future

After a season in the Championship, Leicester City secured promotion back to the Premier League in the 2023/24 season. Their return to the top flight was marked by renewed optimism, and the club hoped to once again establish itself as a competitive force in English football. Despite the challenges of competing in the Premier League, Leicester’s survival story demonstrates the resilience and determination that helped them reach the top in the first place.

Where Are They Now?

As of 2024, most of the players from Leicester’s 2015/16 title-winning squad have moved on to different clubs or retired. Only two players from that magical team remain at Leicester: Jamie Vardy, still an integral part of the squad, and Marc Albrighton, who has become more of a bench player in recent seasons. Vardy, now in his late 30s, remains a key figure at the club, while Albrighton’s role has diminished.

The departures of key players like N’Golo Kanté, Riyad Mahrez, and Danny Drinkwater have left a void, but Leicester continues to build a new squad. Kanté’s move to Chelsea saw him become a key player for the Blues, while Mahrez’s transfer to Manchester City saw him win multiple trophies, including the Premier League.

Several players from the 2015/16 squad have retired, including club legends like Wes Morgan and Robert Huth. Christian Fuchs moved to Major League Soccer, where he played for Charlotte FC before retiring and joining the club’s coaching staff. Kasper Schmeichel’s move to Nice also marked the end of his long association with Leicester.

Meanwhile, manager Claudio Ranieri, who led Leicester to their title, has had a varied managerial career post-Leicester. After leaving in 2017, Ranieri managed several clubs across Europe, including Roma, Fulham, and Watford, and is currently managing Serie A side Cagliari.

Conclusion

Leicester City’s journey from Premier League champions to relegation and back again encapsulates the unpredictability and drama of football. Their 2015/16 title win remains one of the greatest underdog stories in sport, while their subsequent struggles serve as a reminder of the challenges of maintaining success in the highly competitive world of English football. However, their return to the Premier League in 2024 offers hope that Leicester can rebuild and one day challenge for the top again.