FM22 Why Manage – Leicester

A bit about Leicester

• Founded in 1884
• Play at King Power Stadium (Capacity of 32,261)
• One of seven teams to have won the Premier League
• Main rivals – Nottingham Forest and Derby County
• Arthur Chandler is their all time top goal scorer.

Trophy Cabinet

• 1 Premier League
• 1 FA Cup
• 3 League Cups
• 7 Championships (or equivalent)
• 1 League One
• 2 Community Shield

Ups and Downs

It would be fair to say that Leicester are probably better known by the neutral for their recent history in the Premier League era though there is more to them than that. They were promoted and relegated twice from the top-flight during the 80s a notable period which featured prolific forward Gary Lineker.

The 90's had a similar theme though better success, 7 trips to Wembley in 9 years. There were 2 play-finals to gain promotion back to the Premier League after relegations but more impressively were their 2 League Cup wins. During the latter part of the decade they were performing much better in the league achieving 4 consecutive top 10 finishes.

They would fall again after Martin O'Neill left the club and were re-relegated in 2002, and unfortunate end before moving to their new and current stadium 'The King Power Stadium'.

Following their relegation administration followed soon after though this didn't affect them bouncing back to the Premier League again – this was brief and they were relegated once again. This time there was no immediate return and actually were relegated again in 2007/08 down to League one.

Leicester sprang back at the first time of asking and a takeover of the club from their current owners came in 2010, better investment in the club as a whole followed and Leicester returned to the promised land after a mighty impressive campaign – winning the Championship with 102 points in 2013/14, they have remained in the top-flight since.

The Miracle

Leicester survived the first season back in the Premier League though it wasn't easy and required a 'great escape'. The club were bottom of the league with 9 games remaining however their form rise sharply and they took 22 points from those final games to secure safety.

The following season saw a miracle – despite being one of the favourites to be relegated, then manager Claudio Ranieri masterminded one of the greatest moments in sporting history, defying odds of 5000-1 to win Leicester their first and only Premier League Title.

They would not have won the league if it wasn't for the hugely impressive Jamie Vardy, his blistering pace and excellent finishing saw him bag 24 goals and 6 assists on route for the Premier League win, his goals always vital to any success Leicester have had since.



They could not follow up the same performance in the league but they did perform well in the Champion's League reaching the quarter finals. Results and form dipped for a couple of seasons until current manager Brendan Rodgers took charge at the King Power and since they have broken back into European places and consistently battled in the top 4 unfortunately for them missing out late on in the last 2 seasons on Champion's League football settling instead for the Europa League.

Wise Recruitment

That Premier League win potentially could just have been a one off for Leicester but they are wise of this and despite having ambition to reach the Champion's League again they know that their strong performances will mean their players are continually scouted by the bigger clubs.

Leicester could be seen as one of the best in terms of recruitment signing high prospected players for reasonable fees knowing that after a good season or two of development they will be worth far more than they have paid but at the same time it will have benefitted them on the field as well.

Notably they have turned large profits on such players as N'Golo Kante, Rihad Mahrez and Harry Maguire. Buying all three for approximately £22million and selling all three onwards for £170million. Though fees they are spending have increased they still have several players whom they will believe they could sell on for good money should anyone come calling.

So Why Manage Leicester?

Leicester currently have a wonderful blend of experienced players and younger talents whom could develop into major players either for the Foxes or elsewhere but likely for a good profit.

If you are looking for a sub-top team to build upon or push them over that line there are few better equipped than Leicester.

The owners in real life invest in the club and area continually so you should be well backed with them.

Can you continue the impressive line of signings or step into more ready made stars and reach the Champion's League?

Whilst there is a good blend there are a few players heading towards their mid to late 30's, whilst in real life they are key players and show no signs of stopping it's hard to say how long on the game this will last before decline or whether they'll decide to hang their boots up – Schmeichel, Evans and Vardy will need replacing at some point – either with players there or bringing in some new faces, they'll certainly be hard acts to follow.



After their Miracle Premier League win many people would adopt Leicester as a second team or at least look at them fondly 'unless you support a rival' but trying to replicate that miracle would be amazing to repeat though would you do that using Rodger's 4231 style or return to the counter attacking 442 which did the job as there are different means to an end.

Can you out-fox the bigger clubs and steer Leicester to another Miracle? Surely with the summers prospect signings this is an FM fan favourite save for sure.