You may hear the ache in Wes Morgan’s voice as he pauses earlier than answering.
‘Yeah, it’s not good,’ he admits, when requested by Day by day Mail Sport for his response to Leicester Metropolis’s relegation to League One – confirmed following a 2-2 draw with Hull Metropolis final week, and nearly precisely 10 years because the Foxes’ extraordinary Premier League title win.
Morgan captained that aspect, 5,000-1 outsiders who produced one of many best shocks in sporting historical past.
‘We had been a part of one thing very particular. One of the best interval the membership has ever had. So to see the place they’re now’s tough. It’s been a wrestle all season, so when the ultimate nail within the coffin comes, you’re not completely stunned, nevertheless it’s nonetheless robust to just accept.’
The 2025-26 marketing campaign has been torrid. Leicester have dramatically underperformed and turmoil off the pitch has matched the mess on it. A six-point deduction for breaching EFL monetary guidelines compounded issues, however outcomes have been the largest situation. The Foxes have picked up simply 12 factors from their previous 19 video games regardless of having one of the vital expensively assembled squads in Championship historical past.
It’s a stark distinction to Morgan’s 9 years at Leicester, the place he gained the Championship, Premier League and FA Cup. He additionally featured within the Champions League and Europa League throughout 323 video games for the membership.
Defender Wes Morgan (left) captained Leicester Metropolis to the Premier League title in 2016 and to FA Cup glory in 2021
However the Foxes have fallen extremely far within the final 5 years, with their relegation to League One confirmed earlier this month
‘It’s tough to see how issues have gone,’ he says. ‘We left the membership in an excellent place and anticipated it to remain round that stage. However soccer all the time has its ups and downs.’
Morgan stays in contact together with his former team-mates and admits there was extra chat than standard because the anniversary of their title win approaches, and as Leicester’s struggles have accelerated.
In current months, blame has been directed in a number of instructions. Chief soccer officer Jon Rudkin and chairman Aiyawatt ‘Prime’ Srivaddhanaprabha have come below intense stress, as has an underperforming squad. Frustrations spilled over after a defeat at Portsmouth earlier this month when midfielder Harry Winks clashed with followers and advised them to ‘f*** off’ – considered one of a number of flashpoints in a season marked by rigidity.
Poor recruitment, monetary mismanagement and fixed upheaval within the dugout have all performed an element too. Leicester have had 4 everlasting managers in two years, with Marti Cifuentes the most recent to depart in January. Gary Rowett has overseen the ultimate stretch, however solely after membership legend Andy King misplaced all 4 video games as caretaker, time the Foxes might ill-afford to waste. Morgan is reluctant to single out particular areas for blame and as an alternative sees the season as one failure after one other.
‘Everybody has to take duty,’ he says. ‘It’s right down to the membership and gamers on the pitch to get the outcomes and that is not occurred. I simply hope they take a correct look into how the membership has ended up right here and make the required modifications.’
One criticism is that Leicester have misplaced the underdog mentality that outlined their success, with some pointing to the membership’s £100million Seagrave coaching complicated for example, suggesting gamers have change into too snug. Morgan disagrees however accepts Leicester should regain their identification.
‘You’re solely the underdog till you are not,’ he says. ‘Leicester had been the underdog after which they had been difficult in European competitions and for high positions for a very long time. You climb out of that standing.
‘Occasions have modified, so I’m unsure whether or not it’s acceptable to deliver that again. However you need to keep in mind the place Leicester had been, they usually have some good gamers who’ve underperformed. They should discover a successful system once more.’
Gary Rowett (pictured) has overseen the ultimate a part of the season, however solely after membership legend Andy King misplaced all 4 video games as caretaker, time the Foxes might ill-afford to waste
Leicester have picked up simply 12 factors from their previous 19 video games regardless of having one of the vital expensively assembled squads in Championship historical past
Since retiring after lifting the FA Cup with Leicester in 2021, Morgan has explored enterprise, charity and soccer ventures. He has additionally accomplished an MSc in sports activities directorship and expressed a want to maneuver into the chief aspect of the sport. So, would he be open to serving to Leicester out?
‘If the invitation got here, I would think about it,’ he says. ‘I’ve spoken about shifting into senior administration and Leicester is in my coronary heart, so if there was a possibility, I’d discover it.’
And what would he look to do? ‘I’d determine what’s gone fallacious, who’s underperformed and make the required modifications,’ he says. ‘We’re in League One now and the cash isn’t the identical. Getting skilled individuals who perceive the league and what it takes to get out of it is going to be essential. There will likely be quite a lot of modifications, nevertheless it’s key to get in personnel who’ve the correct perspective and perceive what it means to play for Leicester.’
Rowett has expressed an curiosity in staying on as supervisor, although the job is predicted to draw loads of candidates regardless of the size of the rebuild. Relegation to the third tier for less than the second time within the membership’s historical past leaves a projected £70million monetary hole and can inevitably imply a squad overhaul.
One potential resolution lies within the academy, one of many few positives this season. Younger skills equivalent to Ben Nelson, Jeremy Monga and Louis Web page have featured, whereas others like Jake Evans, Will Alves and Sammy Braybrooke have proven indicators of their potential out on mortgage.
‘That may very well be a strategy to go,’ Morgan provides. ‘Leicester have all the time produced good academy gamers who’ve gone on to do nice issues. There are quite a lot of younger gamers within the squad now who’re very gifted. Hopefully they’re going to get the prospect to indicate what they will do. They’re greater than able to making their mark to assist them battle again out of the league.’
Morgan is talking at a Leicester Metropolis within the Neighborhood occasion with Silver Foxes, the membership’s group for followers over 50, after Sky Wager’s Constructing Foundations fund offered a £55,000 grant in the direction of a brand new minibus to assist individuals attend classes.
‘That is actually essential and useful as a result of it may be a wrestle for these guys to get round, socialise and keep related,’ Morgan says. ‘It’s additionally essential for the psychological well being facet that they will nonetheless get to locations and revel in life, and it was good to satisfy the Silver Fox guys and listen to their tales.’
Morgan is trying ahead to reuniting together with his title-winning team-mates at a match to boost funds for charity
He’ll captain a Leicester Legends crew managed by Claudio Ranieri (pictured). ‘It’s nice the boys will likely be again collectively and reminisce over the great occasions’
For now, consideration turns to the 10-year anniversary of Leicester’s title win, though it’s maybe symptomatic of the membership’s state of affairs {that a} match to honour the triumph was introduced the evening earlier than relegation.
Morgan will captain a Leicester Legends crew managed by Claudio Ranieri in opposition to a membership All Star XI in subsequent month’s fixture, which can increase funds for the Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Basis. It’s hoped the event can elevate spirits regardless of the paradox of celebrating a previous glory at a depressing juncture within the membership’s historical past.
‘It has been a tough 12 months,’ Morgan concludes. ‘So bringing some positivity again and giving the followers and the membership a second to get pleasure from is essential. It’s nice the boys will likely be again collectively and reminisce over the great occasions, have fun and a beer, and play in entrance of supporters once more.
‘What we achieved must be remembered and recognised. It is not very best timing, however I believe the followers will likely be joyful to mirror on the great occasions and one of many greatest moments – not simply in Leicester’s historical past – however in Premier League and soccer historical past.’
Carrick’s Boro reign criticised
Michael Carrick could also be closing in on the Manchester United job long-term, however he was ranked because the least environment friendly head coach within the Championship for the 2024-25 season.
That’s in response to the second International State Of Soccer report, produced by world-leading AI expertise firm PLAIER and the College of St Gallen.
Michael Carrick was ranked because the least environment friendly head coach within the Championship for the 2024-25 season whereas within the high job at Middlesbrough
The report analysed 226 golf equipment throughout 14 leagues, metrics equivalent to squad high quality, sporting director effectivity, teaching effectivity and monetary stability.
The report generated a number of different fascinating findings throughout the second tier, together with rating the division because the least financially steady league throughout these measured, whereas Norwich Metropolis’s Thirteenth-place end contributed to the Canaries having the bottom sporting director effectivity score.
Elsewhere, Paul Warne and John Eustace had been considered as probably the most environment friendly coaches as Derby County prevented relegation on their return to the Championship, regardless of Warne being sacked and changed by Eustace in February 2025.
The complete report will be accessed right here – https://report.plaier.com
