Former Leicester City defender Conor Coady says the club's current crisis runs deeper than just the manager and players. Coady's comments come after a 4-0 home defeat to Oxford United left Leicester 18th in League One with just five points from their opening five matches, a situation reported by BBC Sport Football this week.
What did Conor Coady say about Leicester City?
Conor Coady, who played for Leicester for two seasons after an £8.5m move in 2023, believes the problems are systemic. "There's got to be something deep down that's wrong here because it's been going on for too many years," Coady stated. He was part of a squad that included Jamie Vardy, James Maddison, and Youri Tielemans, players who helped forge a strong identity at King Power Stadium. That identity, which powered the club to a Premier League title in 2016 and an FA Cup win in 2021, has been lost according to the former England international. Coady left for Wrexham after his two-year stint, but he retains a clear view of the club's struggles.
Is there a long-term strategy at Leicester City?
Questions about the club's direction have been raised by analysts like Rory Smith. He has questioned recent managerial appointments and whether a clear long-term strategy exists from the ownership. Smith suggested the varying styles of recent managers do not point to a coherent plan or a strong overarching belief from those in charge. This lack of a defined path makes the current predicament more challenging. The club's owner, Khun Aiyawatt 'Top' Srivaddhanaprabha, has accepted blame for the decline and has put Leicester City on the market for more than £200m. You can view the current squad that is trying to implement a new style.
Can Russell Martin turn things around?
Current manager Russell Martin is under immediate pressure. The team has scored only four goals while conceding seven, leaving them with a negative three goal difference. They are already seven points behind league leaders Sheffield Wednesday. Coady acknowledged that progress was made over the summer by refreshing the squad and giving younger players opportunities. He also called for patience with Martin, whose possession-based philosophy takes time to implement. "If Leicester makes a decision after four or five games, there was no point in bringing Russell in," Coady argued. However, pundit Chris Sutton noted that Martin's reputation for a possession-heavy style could become a liability if results don't improve quickly, as fans expect promotion.
What is the immediate challenge for Leicester?
Expectations at a club of Leicester's size in League One make patience difficult. Smith pointed out that the quality in the squad should make them relatively competitive in the division regardless. Sutton believes Martin needs a positive result or two swiftly to change the narrative. The next opportunity comes quickly in an away fixture against Stockport County on September 12th. Stockport currently sit third in the standings, presenting another tough test. Leicester's recent form reads LWDLD, and a positive result is needed to build momentum. The full schedule of upcoming challenges is available on the club's fixtures page. The team travels to Edgeley Park looking for their second win of the season.
