Leicester owners to blame for relegation
From Champions to Championship in seven seasons. The Leicester fairy-tale has come to an end following relegation at the weekend. This is no doubt a shock considering the heights they've hit in recent seasons and if there is someone to blame for this is it's the board.
The reason why I blame the board is because they didn't back then manager Brendan Rodgers in the summer. Rodgers wanted to refresh his squad during the summer window as it was ageing with the majority of the players over the age of 30. But he wasn't able to because the owners didn't back him to bring in new players.
Losing keeper and captain Kasper Schmeichel definitely played a part in their relegation as they missed his leadership and presence between the sticks. But the decision not to replace him will be solely on the owners because of them not backing the manager to bring one in.
The owners have done a good job since they've been at Leicester as they delivered a Premier League title, an FA Cup and a couple of seasons in Europe. But they should still carry the share of the blame for their relegation.
How long will it take Leeds to bounce back?
It took Leeds 16 years to return to the Premier League after their previous relegation in 2004 and they again find themselves back in that very division. After their relegation from the top flight this season following their 4-1 defeat to Spurs, the question now will be how long will it take for them to come back this time round?
A lot of work will of course need doing behind the scenes because the season as whole was a mess both on and off the pitch. They lacked an identity in the way they play on the pitch whilst off the pitch they made poor decisions at board room level and recruited poorly. All of these contributed to their relegation and will need addressing in their summer if they're to bounce back next season.
They need to get their next managerial appointment right because they went through a whole host of managers during their 16 year exile from the top flight. They went through three managers this season and none of them made an impact just like most of the ones they had during their Premier League absence. They were club without an identity during that time and are a club without an identity again after going through three managers.
They had an identity when Marcelo Bielsa was in charge and it was to play on the front foot with lots of energy. But they haven't had one since he left and the next manager will need to give them one if they're to bounce back. If they get the next appointment wrong, it could be another long wait to get back.
Will Jadon Sancho finally deliver for United next season?
Jadon Sancho has had a tough time since joining United from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2021 but there have been signs recently that he's beginning to find his feet in the Premier League. It has been another tough season for him but some of his recent performances have been encouraging and are signs that the player is beginning to show the kind of form he showed at Dortmund. Especially in United's final day win over Fulham.
He was impressive throughout against Fulham on Sunday as he looked lively throughout the whole game and showed why he was once one of the most exciting young players in Europe. He was a constant threat whenever he was in the opposition half by beating players with his pace and agility as well as getting crosses into the box. His performance will give his manager plenty of encouragement heading into next season and especially if he can keep up this kind of form.
Having that 20+ goal a season striker will help him massively as he was used to having that at Dortmund in Erling Haaland. If United can get that striker in and feed him the ball at every opportunity, we could see a different Sancho next season.
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