Lightning Strikes Twice: A Leicester City Story

Gary Lineker has taken over as Leicester City manager for the 2017/18 Premier League season, marking his first foray into professional management.

Lineker, who is a life long Leicester fan - proven by his boxer antics on Match of the Day when the East Midland's outfit won the Premier League two seasons ago, has never managed professionally - even though he received his coaching badges many years ago - and has stuck to the glitz and glam of television, until now.

Speaking to the press as he was unveiled, he had a succint message:

"This could very easily go pear shaped. But it could also very easily go the other way too. All I'd like to say is that lightning can always strike twice."

Gary Lineker has wasted no time in moulding the Leicester City side to his image, letting three members of the first steam squad leave in the summer window.

Riyad Mahrez had been told that he wasn't in Lineker's plans and wouldn't suit the kind of football that the manager wanted to play, and much to the Algerian's dismay, he was offered out to a number of clubs.

It was thought that the winger would join Bayern Munich for a deal worth around £38m, but Riyad wasn't happy with the contract they were offering and the deal was called off in it's final hours. The next day, Premier League rivals Chelsea offered a significantly smaller bid of £28m, but Lineker held firm and the Londoner's decided to offer a £36m bid instead.

Danny Simpson is another member that was key in the Premier League winning season, but his inability to play multiple roles has been cited as the reason for his departure.

A number of Premier League and Serie A clubs were interested in Simpson, but the largest bid came from Watford - seeing the veteran defender moving to London.

Winger Demarai Gray, a product of the Birmingham City Academy was loaned out to Russian behemoth CSKA Moscow, where he has been told to work on his game as a forward instead of a winger.

Lineker will assess the youngster's performances throughout the season-long loan and hope that Gray develops.

"It's a shame to see such great servants for the club leave, but I am truly moulding this side to my image. If a player is of no use to me, there is no point in paying for their wages."

Leicester have finished their work in the transfer window, completing two signings in the process.

Abdoulaye Doucouré signed from Watford for £20 million upfront and an added £5m throughout the season. The midfielder, who has appeared for the French U-21 team once, has become an integral part of the Watford set up in recent seasons and will be surely missed by the club.

Doucouré has been purchased to play an important role in Leicester's midfield, utilising the space in the wide areas of the pitch.

The club's second signing was Celtic forward Moussa Dembélé, who signed for £20 million, with the potential to rise to £40m provided the forward scores 50 goals for his new club.

Lineker seemed excited regarding his new signings:

"They're both great players, and on their day can provide a performance to inspire those around them. We've still got money in the bank, which I'm ecstatic about, but that will be all for our summer."