When Leicester City are mentioned nowadays, the major talking point is ‘that dream season’. Underdogs with odds to win the league at 5000/1, no one could have predicted the wonderful turn of events that the 2015/16 season gave us adoring fans.
Football fans across the world will never forget the events that transpired that season. However, Leicester City were brought back down to earth the following season when – almost expectedly – they didn’t reach the same glorious heights.
The sacking of managerial maestro Ranieri crushed the fairy-tale of this Leicester City team for many a football fan. After a worrying start they then finished 12th in the 2016/17 campaign.
Claude Puel took over the reins at Leicester when Craig Shakespeare was sacked just four months into the job as full-time manager. Foxes fans will be hoping the Frenchman can at least raise hopes at the King Power Stadium. Whilst it is still early days in the season, Leicester are currently in the bottom half of the league a mere four point off the relegation zone.
After various stints as a manger in Ligue 1 at clubs such as Lyon and Lille, Puel was recruited by Southampton to take over Koeman as he departed for Everton. In his one and only season at the club, he finished a very respectable 8th in the league and got Southampton to the final of the League cup finishing as runners up. Alas, this was apparently not good enough for Southampton as his contract was terminated at the end of the season.
Embed from Getty ImagesCriticised for his defensive tactics, Leicester City fans will be hoping that this will in fact bring some solidity to the King Power Stadium and be a strong base to push on from and elevate higher up the league table. A few seasons ago, an 11th placed finish for Leicester would be incredible but now, expectations are higher than ever. Can Puel meet these expectations and extend his stay in England? With some tough upcoming matches, the lead up to Christmas could be pivotal in determining what happens to Leicester City and Puel come the end of the season.
Written by Sam Brazier.
