We all have heard the stat. Leicester spent 567 days in the top four in the last two seasons, more than any other team, yet failed to qualify for the Champions League. He has solved the problem this season, although that solution was not on his mind. Leicester’s top spot is ninth in 2021–22, and they start today’s game in 11th place at Newcastle. They’ve also dropped out of the Europa League, and many people reach for the easy cliché that Brendan Rodgers has taken Leicester as much as he can.
It’s not fair, it’s not remotely fair, but Rodgers is smart enough to recognize the instability of modern life, never mind modern football. He was sacked by Liverpool almost 18 months after winning the league; Claudio Ranieri sacked nine months after Leicester actually won it.
It’s only been seven months since Leicester won the FA Cup on a scintillating day at Wembley, yet the clouds are rolling in. He has had bad luck with injuries this season and last, and there is an argument that Rodgers is being punished for his conservatism: did he complain like most of the others. Premier League Managers, he probably would have received more sympathy for his poor performance this season.
He didn’t and he didn’t, and as a result he’s placed fourth on the doomsday list: the page on the next Premier League manager likely to quit his job. Three of Leicester’s next five league games are against Spurs, Liverpool and Manchester City, and they also play Liverpool in the EFL Cup quarter-finals. In short, Rodgers could really do with a win today.
There is probably less pressure on Newcastle, even though they are ranked 19th on the table. Their next four games – Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United – are close to free gifts with any points. (It won’t be a complete blow if they beat Leicester or United, as they are playing quite late, but it is not necessary.)
Last weekend’s crucial win at Burnley means they are unlikely to be cut before fixtures ease into the new year – and before the transfer window opens. That would be the real quiz for Eddie Howe.
to start at 2 pm
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