Brendan Rodgers is SACKED by Leicester City after latest defeat

BREAKING NEWS: Brendan Rodgers is SACKED by Leicester after their last-gasp defeat at Crystal Palace left the Foxes in the Premier League’s drop zone as his four year spell comes to a bitter end

• Brendan Rodgers has been sacked by Leicester after losing to Crystal Palace
• Saturday’s 2-1 defeat saw Foxes drop into the Premier League relegation zone
• Leicester have just ten matches left to salvage their English top-flight status 

Brendan Rodgers has left Leicester with the club in grave danger of being relegated from the Premier League.

Rodgers departed on Sunday following Saturday’s dire display at Crystal Palace, which saw Leicester slip into the bottom three with 10 games remaining and the club announced the following day a ‘mutual agreement’ had been reached with the 50-year-old, who had been in charge since February 2019.

The former Liverpool and Celtic boss leaves with coaches Chris Davies and Glen Driscoll, meaning goalkeeping coach Mike Stowell and first-team coach Adam Sadler will be in charge for Tuesday’s clash with Aston Villa at King Power Stadium.

Leicester chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said: ‘The achievements of the team under Brendan’s management speak for themselves – we’ve experienced some of our finest footballing moments under his guidance and will always be grateful to him and his staff for the heights they helped us to reach on the pitch.

‘Off the pitch, Brendan embraced the culture of the Club and helped cultivate an outstanding developmental environment, particularly during the transition to Seagrave, and provided strong leadership during the unprecedented challenge of the coronavirus pandemic. His place in Leicester City history is assured.

Brendan Rodgers has been sacked as manager of Leicester City after Saturday’s defeat to Crystal Palace

Rodgers’ position as first-team coach was unsalvageable after Crystal Palace came from behind to inflict defeat on Leicester

Leicester City chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha (right) issued a farewell statement as the decision to remove Rodgers was confirmed on Sunday afternoon

‘However, performances and results during the current season have been below our shared expectations. 

‘It had been our belief that continuity and stability would be key to correcting our course, particularly given our previous achievements under Brendan’s management. 

‘Regrettably, the desired improvement has not been forthcoming and, with 10 games of the season remaining, the Board is compelled to take alternative action to protect our Premier League status.

‘The task ahead of us in our final 10 games is clear. We now need to come together – fans, players and staff – and show the poise, quality and fight to secure our position as a Premier League club.’

Rodgers was due a substantial compensation package as part of a contract that had another two seasons to run, and which had made him the highest-paid manager in Leicester’s history.

He led the club to consecutive fifth-placed finishes in 2020 and 2021, narrowly missing out on the Champions League on both occasions. The Foxes also won the FA Cup for the first time in their history two years ago.

But cracks started to appear in a mixed 2021-22 campaign and apart from a brief burst of form before the World Cup break, this season has been dire. 

A significant section of supporters had long since turned on Rodgers and the atmosphere at King Power Stadium on Tuesday would likely have been toxic had Leicester not acted now.

The Northern Irishman mutually agreed to leave his position as Leicester City boss

Rodgers previously helped guide Leicester to the club’s first-ever FA Cup crown in 2021

A difficult season was brought to its premature conclusion for Rodgers as he mutually agreed to leave his position with 10 games remaining.

The 50-year-old oversaw 204 matches in charge of the midlands outfit and averaged just over 1.5 points-per-game having initially took charge in February 2019.

Rodgers had previously complained about the lack of backing he received in the transfer market

Rodgers has frequently come under pressure in his role throughout the season as Leicester struggled to replicate their previously successful form that followed his appointment and he revealed in January that he had held talks with the club owner.

Questions had been raised over Leicester’s transfer policy by then now ex-manager who didn’t feel he had been sufficiently supported in the summer transfer window.

Rodgers at the time slammed his own club for failing to back him and insisted following defeat to Manchester United that Leicester ‘wasn’t the club it was a couple of years ago’. 

Leicester’s chief decision-makers will be hoping to see immediate signs that they made the correct decision when they host Aston Villa on Tuesday evening. 

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