Leicester's English fairytale turns sackable under Martin
Russell Martin, appointed Leicester City boss on 15 June, watched his side endure a 4‑0 home defeat to Oxford United on Saturday, conceding three second‑half goals in twenty minutes, a loss fans described as the club’s heaviest ever in the third tier on BBC Radio Leicester.
From Premier League glory to League One disappointment
Just a decade ago the Foxes were the darlings of English football, lifting the 2015‑16 Premier League title against all odds. Their unexpected relegation last term – the second drop in as many seasons – left many believing they would stroll through League One, yet life back in the third tier under the divisive Martin has proved far more difficult.
Saturday's 4‑0 defeat and its historic weight
The loss to Oxford United on Saturday was Leicester City’s heaviest ever defeat in the third tier and marked an all‑time low in the club’s proud 142‑year history, despondent supporters told BBC Radio Leicester at full‑time.
Martin’s tenure under intense scrutiny
After five league games Martin has recorded just one win, two draws and two defeats. His previous spell at Rangers lasted only 123 days and his stint at Southampton ended after just one win in 16 Premier League matches following promotion.
Supporters voiced their frustration during the Saturday defeat, and former Leicester player Matt Piper, speaking on BBC Radio Leicester, said: “This manager doesn’t seem to want to move away from the ‘pass them to death’ style… My fingers are pointing at him this afternoon, even though the team didn’t play well. I don’t think the manager should get sacked tonight, but that is a sackable performance.”
The Foxes started the game with five players in the starting XI under the age of 23, including two teenagers, and all five substitutions were aged 18, 19, 20, 21 and 23, underscoring the squad’s naivety and inexperience.
Since relegation the club has seen arrivals and departures both well into double figures, and the ownership is currently looking to sell, signalling a period of transition for Leicester City.
The stark contrast between past triumphs and the present crisis reveals a club at a crossroads; as Piper warned, “If you look back over the years, especially at this football club at managers that we have sacked, that looked like a manager that could get sacked tonight.”