Leicester City Faces Relegation Battle: Gary Rowett Calls for 'Something Special'
As Leicester City stumbles toward relegation to League One, manager Gary Rowett emphasizes the need for leadership and fighting spirit. With the team five points from Championship safety and only four games remaining, Rowett highlights a player's recent message of hope, urging the squad to seize the opportunity to do something special despite their dire situation. Rowett remarked, "People who've been around football for quite a while still hanker for those characters and those players that are inspirational." He stressed the importance of showing leadership on the pitch, especially given the club's struggle to secure a win in three months. The looming threat of relegation puts Leicester at risk of becoming only the second Foxes team to drop into the third tier in the club’s 142-year history. The manager noted that while the team's past glories, including their 2016 Premier League title, shouldn't weigh heavily on the players, they must focus on the current season and perform with pride. After a recent defeat to Swansea City, Rowett labeled the upcoming match against Portsmouth as the team’s "last chance" for survival. He expressed the emotional stakes involved, acknowledging the potential impact on fans and club staff if relegation occurs. Rowett admitted he expected more from his tenure, describing this as one of the toughest relegation battles he has faced. Leicester's current season ranks among their worst, with a points tally of 41 from 42 games. The team has struggled significantly since their promotion, managing only 17 wins in 80 league games since their return to the Premier League. Rowett concluded that consistent training and behavioral adjustments are crucial for turning around their fortunes in the final stretch of the season.
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-04-17