Is Time Up for Rodgers at Leicester City?

19/09/22 1818

It was not long ago that Leicester City manager, Brendan Rodgers, was being linked with some of the top jobs in English football.

His name has consistently been mentioned when there have been vacancies at Manchester United, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur but the former Celtic and Swansea City man has remained at Leicester City.

However, that time could be about to end as Rodgers is under increasing pressure following Leicester City’s disappointing start to the season.

As things stand in the English Premier League going into the international break, Leicester City are bottom of the table with only 1 point to their name.

That came courtesy of a 2-2 draw at home against Brentford on the opening weekend of the 2022/23 season. Since then, Leicester City have lost 6 Premier League fixtures in succession.

The only win for Leicester City this season has come in the League Cup and even then, the Foxes required a penalty shootout to beat Stockport County, who play in League Two.

It has been the worst start to a season since 1983 for Leicester City and the 6-2 loss at Tottenham Hotspur in their most recent Premier League fixture was another massive blow.

Having taken the lead in the match, Spurs scored 2 goals but Leicester City equalised shortly before half time. Having conceded a third goal in the 47th minute, Leicester City collapsed in the final 18 minutes of the game, conceding a further 3 goals.

Speaking after the defeat at Spurs, Rodgers said, “I will always fight on, but I understand the game and six straight losses isn't good for anyone.”

Leicester City have become the 10th club in the history of the Premier League to pick up 1 point or fewer in their opening 7 matches. Only 3 of those 10 clubs managed to avoid relegation, so Rodgers has a huge task on his hands to turn things around at the King Power Stadium. That is if he is afforded the time to try and get their season back on track.

Rodgers first port of call will the be the defence and Leicester City have conceded 22 goals in 7 league games. We must go back to West Ham United in 1965/66 to find the last time a team conceded more goals than that in the English topflight after 7 matches.

However, in Rodgers' four years in charge at the club, Leicester City have finished ninth, fifth, fifth and eighth in the Premier League and won the FA Cup. He has not become a bad manager over night and the board may decide to give Rodgers more time to turn things around.

The lack of activity in the transfer market has clearly been an issue and Rodgers is not happy with their transfer business. It is unclear if anything has been said behind the scenes regarding the lack of spending but Leicester City need reinforcements in the January transfer window.

It is unclear if Rodgers will still be at the club to oversee any winter transfers but he has earned the right for time to turn the season around.