Leicester have released a statement confirming they have parting ways with manager Brendan Rodgers. The Northern Irishman has been in charge of the Foxes for four years. But, after a 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday, the 2016 Premier League champions are on the lookout for a new manager to take the helm.
Leicester have taken to social media to confirm the departure of Rodgers, insisting it is a ‘mutual’ decision between the two parties.
“Leicester City Football Club has reached a mutual agreement with Brendan Rodgers that will see him leave the Club after four years as our Men’s First Team Manager,” they said in a statement.
“Brendan departs King Power Stadium as one of the most successful managers in the Club’s history, having guided us to our long-awaited first FA Cup triumph in 2021, the FA Community Shield in the same year, two of the Club’s three highest Premier League finishes and consecutive European campaigns, including our first European semi-final in 2022.
“Assistant Manager Chris Davies and First Team Fitness Coach Glen Driscoll will also be leaving with the Club’s thanks and best wishes for their future careers.
“Immediate responsibility for Men’s First Team training and match preparation will be led by the Club’s long-serving First Team Coaches Adam Sadler and Mike Stowell.”
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Chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha also explained the decision, saying results had been beneath their ‘shared expectations’ this term.
“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,” he added.
“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. 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 becomes the fourth permanent boss to leave Leicester since their title triumph nearly seven years ago.
Claudio Ranieri was axed less than a year after steering the club to the biggest title in the country. Craig Shakespeare them cane in and was relieved of his duties after just seven months in charge.
Leicester hired Claude Puel in October 2017 but, less than 18 months later, he was gone. And Rodgers is now set to pursue a new challenge, too. Speaking after the defeat to Palace, meanwhile, Rodgers admitted it was a ‘painful’ loss to take.
“Football can be harsh. We didn’t think we deserved that [to lose] at all. First half we had to defend well, we didn’t keep the ball well at all. Defensively we were strong and the back four and goalkeeper were excellent,” he said.
“We started the second half really well. Ricardo [Pereira] scored a brilliant goal and we were deserving of that.
“In order to have the ball it’s a mentality, we were able to do that and it went well for us. We’re disappointed with the free-kick, it ends up being the goal they scored from.
“We had good rhythm in the first 15 minutes of the second half but then failed to play and get that rhythm back again. It looked like it was going to be a point and you’ll take the point so to concede the goal is disappointing.
“I just feel really disappointed for them because they didn’t deserve to lose the game. That’s football, you’ve got to concentrate right the way through the game, you’ve got to be strong and resolute. If you can’t win the game then don’t lose it. That last thirty seconds we’ve just got to do the basics well. If you do that then you get the result.”
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