Background The 2024–25 campaign was a disastrous season for Leicester City, as they had been relegated from the
Premier League, following a 0–1 home loss to
Liverpool on 20 April 2025. They scored only 33 league goals all season, and conceded 80 goals, which is the highest number of goals they have conceded in a Premier League season in their history. They finished with a goal difference of −47, the worst in their history. Leicester failed to keep an away clean sheet, which was the worst away clean sheet record that season. They only kept three clean sheets at home in the Premier League, and went on a torrid spell of nine home games in a row without scoring, losing all of them. This run ended on 3 May 2025 with a 2–0 home win over
Southampton. They also became the third team after
Norwich City in 2020 and
West Bromwich Albion in 2021 to suffer relegation at least five times. Leicester won six Premier League games in the 2024–25 season, drew seven, and lost 25. This was statistically their worst 38 game Premier League season on record, with 2001–02 being better with 28 points amassed, compared to only 25 in 2024–25.
Pre-season Prior to the season starting,
Ruud van Nistelrooy mutually agreed with the club to step down as manager on 27 June 2025. His replacement,
Martí Cifuentes, was announced as manager on 15 July 2025, signing a three-year contract with the club. Leicester played their first pre-season friendly against
Peterborough United on 5 July 2025 on their training ground, which was won 3–1 by The Foxes after
Louis Page scored in the 63rd minute, before
Chris Conn-Clarke equalised for the visitors in the 74th minute, after which Page grabbed his brace in the 78th minute and
Silko Thomas made it 3–1 to The Foxes, marking their first pre-season win. On 12 July 2025, Leicester hosted another friendly at their training ground, this time against their sister club
Oud-Heverlee Leuven, also owned by
King Power. The game was played in four halves of 45 minutes, and Leicester won the game 2–1, after OHL defender
Takahiro Akimoto scored an own goal to give Leicester the lead, before
Jovan Mijatović equalised for the visitors. Then,
Jordan Ayew scored a 119th-minute winner to win the game 2–1. Then, The Foxes travelled to Austria for their pre-season tour and had three games scheduled against
Zalaegerszeg,
Karpaty Lviv and
Köln. The first of these games was played on 19 July 2025 against Zalaegerszeg, which Leicester won 1–0 thanks to a Jordan Ayew goal in the 70th minute. On 25 July, the squad was split into half to play two games on the same day, against Karpaty Lviv and Köln. The Foxes won against Karpaty Lviv 1–2 thanks to a
Patson Daka brace after falling behind due to a
Yaroslav Karabin goal in the 48th minute. Then, Leicester took on Köln in their final game of their pre-season tour, which they lost 1–3, courtesy to goals from
Sebastian Sebulonsen,
Luca Waldschmidt and
Florian Kainz.
Kasey McAteer scored the only Leicester goal in the 43rd minute. Leicester then finished off their pre-season with a home game against
Fiorentina on 3 August 2025. Leicester won the game 2–0 thanks to first half goals from Jordan Ayew and
Abdul Fatawu. On 9 August 2025, the squad numbers for the First Team were announced ahead of Leicester's opening
Championship clash against
Sheffield Wednesday.
First team transfers (summer transfer window) The EFL Championship transfer window opened on 16 June 2025 and closed on 1 September 2025 at 19:00
BST. On 27 May 2025, Leicester announced that 12 players were to be released, three of which were first team players, one of which was former club captain
Jamie Vardy. This is the first season since
2011–12 to not feature him. He had made exactly 500 appearances and had scored 200 goals at the time of his departure. Vardy's departure also meant Leicester City no longer had a player from the
2015–16 title-winning squad at the club. On 29 July 2025, the club announced the free transfer of ex-
Everton and
QPR goalkeeper
Asmir Begović on a one-year contract. Later the same day, the club announced the loan departures and loan signings of
Bilal El Khannouss to
VfB Stuttgart,
Woyo Coulibaly to
Sassuolo, and
Julián Carranza,
Jordan James and
Aaron Ramsey to Leicester City respectively. All loan deals (departures and arrivals) are season long loans. All loan fees are undisclosed. On 6 September 2025, the club announced that ex-
Real Betis goalkeeper
Fran Vieites had joined on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract.
August Cifuentes' side kicked off their
Championship campaign with a 2–1 home win over
Sheffield Wednesday on 10 August 2025. Wednesday scored first, through a first half goal from
Nathaniel Chalobah. However,
Jannik Vestergaard and
Wout Faes both scored crucial goals in the second half to earn Leicester a 2–1 win. On 13 August, Leicester kicked off their
EFL Cup campaign with an away game against
EFL League One side
Huddersfield Town as their first-round tie. Leicester drew the game 2–2 in normal regulation time, however lost 3–2 on penalties to Huddersfield, after Jordan Ayew,
Bilal El Khannouss and Kasey McAteer missed their penalties. Then, on 16 August, Leicester played their second away game of the season against
Preston North End, where they had won 3–0 on 29 April 2024 to clinch the
2023–24 EFL Championship title. They lost the game 2–1, after
Tottenham Hotspur loanee
Alfie Devine scored in the 7th minute to make it 1–0 to the hosts. Then, in the second half,
Jeremy Monga scored an equaliser and become the
Championship's youngest goalscorer at 16 years and 37 days of age. However, the hosts found a late winner through
Milutin Osmajić and won the game 2–1. The following Saturday, on 23 August 2025, Leicester played their third consecutive and third away game of the season against
Charlton Athletic. They won the game 1–0 courtesy of a 2nd half Abdul Fatawu goal in the 48th minute. On 29 August 2025, Leicester returned to the King Power Stadium and welcomed
Birmingham City for another Championship clash. Leicester won the game 2–0, thanks to an early first half Abdul Fatawu goal in the 8th minute, after which in the second half, substitute
Ricardo Pereira scored the 2nd goal in the 88th minute, which was provided by Jeremy Monga, to win the game 2–0. Leicester had played five games in August, winning three (against Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton Athletic and Birmingham City), drawing one (against Huddersfield Town in the EFL Cup but was subsequently knocked out in a penalty shootout), and losing one (against Preston North End). By the end of August, Leicester had played four Championship games, won three, lost one, had nine points, and were 4th in the Championship table, one point off 2nd place, occupied by
West Bromwich Albion at the time.
September Following the end of the first international break of the season, Leicester began September travelling away to
Oxford United on 13 September 2025 for their first Championship game of September. Oxford took the lead early on through
Tottenham Hotspur loanee
Will Lankshear in the 9th minute to make it 1–0 to the hosts. Jordan Ayew then proceeded to score just four minutes later in the 13th minute, to level the score at 1–1, and also grabbed his first Championship goal of the season. Then,
Burnley loanee
Aaron Ramsey got sent off just 24 minutes into his debut, and Leicester were down to 10 men. Oxford capitalised on this and led 2–1 at half-time through a
Boubakary Soumaré own goal in the 44th minute. Then, in the second half, substitute
Ricardo Pereira scored to level it at 2–2, which was the final score. Leicester then returned to the King Power for another Championship clash, for an
M69 derby against
Coventry City on 20 September 2025. Leicester were held to a 0–0 draw by Coventry, with
Brighton & Hove Albion loanee
Carl Rushworth denying Leicester several times, resulting in both teams settling for a point. Leicester then travelled away to
The Hawthorns for a Friday Night Championship clash against
West Bromwich Albion on 26 September 2025. Leicester went down early in the first half as
Aston Villa loanee
Samuel Iling-Junior scored on his debut to make it 1–0 to West Brom. Then, after an uneventful game,
Bobby De Cordova-Reid struck at goal in the 93rd minute, and scored a deflection off of
Nat Phillips. The goal was credited as an own goal by the latter, and the game ended 1–1. To end September, Leicester welcomed
Wrexham to the King Power on Tuesday night for a Championship clash on 30 September 2025. Leicester took the lead in the first half, with
Rennes loanee
Jordan James scoring the goal to put Leicester 1–0 up by half time. However, in a flip of the scripts against West Brom, Wrexham equalised late in the 77th minute as
Nathan Broadhead scored for Wrexham to level the game at 1–1 at full time. Leicester had played four games in September, drawing all four against Oxford United, Coventry City, West Bromwich Albion and Wrexham. By the end of September, Leicester had played eight Championship games, won three, drawn four and lost one, had 13 points and were 6th in the Championship table, five points behind then-league leaders
Middlesbrough. Leicester then travelled away to
Hull City on 21 October 2025 for a midweek Championship clash. Hull City opened the scoring through
Liam Millar in the 6th minute, before the lead was doubled in the 31st minute by
Leeds United loanee
Joe Gelhardt to send Leicester 2–0 down at half-time. In the second half,
Aaron Ramsey scored a top corner shot in the 67th minute to half the deficit and make the scoreline 2–1, which was the full time score, and Leicester were consigned to a second defeat of the Championship season. Leicester then travelled away yet again, this time to
Millwall, on 25 October 2025, for their final Championship match of the month. Leicester lost the game by a narrow 1–0 scoreline, with
Femi Azeez scoring for Millwall. Leicester had played four games in October, winning one against Swansea, drawing one against Portsmouth, and losing two against Hull City and Millwall. By the end of October, Leicester had played 12 Championship games, won four, drawn five and lost three, had 17 points and were 10th in the Championship table, two points off then-6th placed
Charlton Athletic.
November Leicester began November by returning home to the King Power to host
Blackburn Rovers on 1 November 2025 for their first Championship clash of the month. Leicester lost the game 0
–2 with a brace from
Andri Guðjohnsen, with goals in either half to succumb Leicester to their 3rd straight loss in a row in the league. Leicester then remained at home for a midweek Championship clash on 4 November 2025, against
Middlesbrough. Leicester took the lead in the first half when
Jordan Ayew scored a penalty in first half stoppage time, following a handball from
Hayden Hackney on the edge of the box just a few minutes prior, to put Leicester 1
–0 up at half-time. Then, Leicester capitulated horribly in the second half, just like against Wrexham and Portsmouth. Middlesbrough were down to 10 men after defender
Alfie Jones was shown a straight red for a cynical challenge on
Stephy Mavididi, and then,
Luke Ayling sent in a header in 90+6' to rescue a point for Middlesbrough, and frustratingly, Leicester had to settle for a point. This result meant that Leicester had now been on a winless run of 5 games, and only 1 win in 10 games. Leicester then travelled away to
Carrow Road for a Championship clash on 8 November 2025, against
Norwich City, who had not won their previous 7 home Championship games at that point. Both teams entered this game with a poor run of form – this was seen as a must win game for both sides. The 1st half was relatively quiet, as the score was 0
–0 at half-time. Then, Leicester went 1
–0 down in the 62nd minute following a
Mathias Kvistgaarden strike that went into the bottom right hand corner. However, Leicester did well to respond as
Bobby De Cordova-Reid leveled the game at 1
–1 in the 75th minute. Leicester then subsequently sealed the 3 points after
Abdul Fatawu crossed it in from the right hand side to Rennes loanee
Jordan James, who headed from the box to put Leicester 1
–2 up at full-time. This win marked Leicester's first win in November and in over a month, last coming against Swansea City on 4 October 2025, and also saw their winless run come to an end. This was their first away win since Swansea City away on 4 October 2025. Norwich sacked manager
Liam Manning following their loss, and
Martí Cifuentes kept his job, as reports emerged that he would be sacked if Leicester lost to Norwich. Leicester then returned to the King Power for a Championship clash against
Stoke City on 22 November 2025, following the completion of the November international break (which was the last of 2025). Leicester took the lead in the 23rd minute when
Stephy Mavididi scored to put Leicester 1
–0 up. Then, shortly before half-time,
Patson Daka netted his first league goal since 3 December 2024 (in a 3
–1
Premier League win over
West Ham United) to put Leicester 2
–0 in the 44th minute and at half-time. Leicester started the 2nd half shaky, as Stoke halved the deficit through a
Bae Jun-ho goal, however held on to the lead until full-time to register their first set of back-to-back wins since August (vs.
Charlton Athletic and
Birmingham City) and their first home win since 29 August 2025 (vs. Birmingham City). Leicester won the game 2
–1 and sealed another 3 points. Leicester then returned to the King Power and welcomed
Sheffield United for a Championship clash on 29 November 2025. Leicester went 1–0 down early as
Tom Cannon scored in the 2nd minute against his former team. Then, Sheffield United quickly doubled their lead through a
Jaïro Riedewald goal. Then, Leicester went 3–0 down in the 32nd minute as
Sydie Peck scored another for Sheffield United, and this was the score at half-time. Boos rang around the King Power Stadium, and manager Cifuentes was met with "you're getting sacked in the morning chants" by both sets of fans. Despite this,
Stephy Mavididi pulled one back for the Foxes and the score was 3–1 after 53 minutes. Then, late on in the second half, Rennes loanee
Jordan James scored a stunner in the 83rd minute to bring back belief for the Foxes, and the score was 3–2 after 83 minutes. However, Sheffield United ran out 3–2 winners at full time. Leicester had played six games in November, winning two against Norwich and Stoke, drawing once against Middlesbrough and losing three against Blackburn, Southampton and Sheffield United. By the end of November, Leicester had played 18 Championship games, won six, drawn six and lost six, had 24 points and were 16th in the Championship table on 24 points, five points off then-6th placed
Bristol City.
December Leicester kicked off their busy December with an away trip to
Pride Park, facing
local rivals Derby County on 6 December 2025. Reports emerged that manager Marti Cifuentes would be sacked if a favourable result was not achieved here; the pressure was incredibly high to get a good result. Despite that, Leicester started off excellently by scoring in the 8th minute through
Bobby De Cordova-Reid to give Leicester a 1–0 lead. Then, just seven minutes later,
Oliver Skipp scored from a corner to make it 2–0 to Leicester in just 15 minutes. Then,
Jordan Ayew nodded home what would be a third goal, but was ruled offside. However, Leicester did get a third just before half-time, through Rennes loanee
Jordan James, who headed home from a pinpoint
Luke Thomas cross, and Leicester were 3–0 up at half time. The second half was relatively quiet, with Derby grabbing a consolation in the 63rd minute through
Sondre Langås. Leicester picked up a crucial three points and started off December excellently. The third round draw for the
FA Cup was complete on 8 December 2025, and Leicester were drawn away to
EFL League Two side
Cheltenham Town. Leicester then returned home to the King Power for a tough Championship clash against
Ipswich Town on 13 December 2025. Leicester once again started the first half in excellent fashion, with
Bobby De Cordova-Reid netting for his third game straight, this time in the 8th minute, to give Leicester a 1–0 lead. Then, just before half-time,
Abdul Fatawu recovered the ball, nutmegged and drove past two Ipswich players, and lobbed Ipswich keeper
Christian Walton (who was off his line) from his own half (65 metres out), and scored a goal of the season contender to put Leicester 2–0 up at half-time. Then, shortly after the second half commenced, Abdul Fatawu drove past Ipswich defender
Leif Davis and sent in a cross, which was met by
Jordan Ayew, who tapped home to make it 3–0 to the Foxes after 52 minutes. Ipswich got a goal back through a calamitous
Jakub Stolarczyk pass to
Oliver Skipp, which was intercepted and put in the back of the Leicester net by
Jens Cajuste, in the Leicester box, and the scoreline was 3–1 to the Foxes after 72 minutes. This was just a consolation goal for Ipswich however, as Leicester maintained their brilliant start to the month with another three points and subsequently moved up to 8th in the Championship table. Leicester then travelled away to
QPR for their last away Championship game of 2025, and their last game before Christmas, at
Loftus Road on 20 December 2025. Leicester went 1–0 down in the 2nd minute as
Kōki Saitō scored for the hosts. Then, QPR made it a 2–0 lead through
Richard Kone in the 29th minute. QPR tripled their lead in the 33rd minute through
Karamoko Dembélé, and it was 3–0 to the hosts. Leicester ended an abysmal first half display by going 4–0 down through
Amadou Mbengue in first half stoppage time, and the score was 4–0 to QPR at half time. The second half was relatively quiet until Leicester were awarded a penalty in the 81st minute, which was missed by
Bobby De Cordova-Reid, but Silko Thomas grabbed a consolation off the rebound to make the score 4–1 to QPR, which was the full time score, and Leicester suffered their joint heaviest defeat of the season (the other being a 3–0 loss to Southampton away in November) and their first loss of December. Leicester then returrned to the King Power for a Championship clash against
Watford on 26 December 2025. Leicester started the game excellently as
Jordan James scored to put Leicester 1–0 up. However, shortly before half-time, Watford found their equaliser through
Othmane Maamma and the score was 1–1 at half time. Then, Watford took the lead in the 65th minute through a
Mattie Pollock header, and the score was 1–2 to Watford. This was the full time score, and Leicester slumped to their second defeat in a row. To end off 2025 and December, Leicester remained at the King Power for a midweek Championship clash against
Derby County on 29 December 2025, whom they had faced at the start of December and beaten 1–3. Leicester started off strongly against Derby, with
Bobby De Cordova-Reid opening the scoring for Leicester, just as he did at Pride Park, to put Leicester in an early 1–0 lead in the 6th minute. However, Derby found their leveler in the 9th minute through a
Rhian Brewster goal, and the score was 1–1. Then, shortly before half-time,
Jordan James scored to make it 2–1 to Leicester at half time. The second half finished goalless, and Leicester sealed December and 2025 with a win. Leicester played six games in December, winning three against Derby (twice) and Ipswich, drawing one to Bristol City and losing two to QPR and Watford. By the end of 2025 and December, Leicester had played 24 Championship games, winning nine, drawing seven and losing eight; they had 34 points and were 12th in the Championship table, four points off then-sixth placed Watford.
January Leicester kicked off their busy January by travelling away to
Bramall Lane, for a tough Championship clash against
Sheffield United on 1 January 2026. Leicester went 1–0 down within 36 minutes as
Japhet Tanganga scored for the hosts. Then, former Leicester player
Tom Cannon scored for Sheffield United, putting them in a 2–0 lead within 52 minutes. Then, Sheffield United added a third through
Callum O'Hare in the 88th minute and Leicester were 3–0 down. Leicester then grabbed a consolation in the second minute of second half stoppage time through
Jordan James to make it 3–1 to Sheffield United, which was the full time score, and Leicester began 2026 with a defeat. Leicester then returned to the King Power for their first home game of 2026 against
West Bromwich Albion on 5 January 2026. Leicester opened the scoring through
Jordan Ayew in the 18th minute to make it 1–0 to Leicester. However, West Brom found their equaliser through
Karlan Grant in the 34th minute, and the score was 1–1 at half time. The second half was quiet until the 4th minute of stoppage time, where
Abdul Fatawu scored a late goal to put Leicester into a 2–1 lead and help them win the game by the same scoreline. Leicester subsequently won their first game of 2026 and sealed the 3 points. Leicester then travelled away to
Whaddon Road for a 3rd round
FA Cup clash against
EFL League Two opposition
Cheltenham Town on 10 January 2026. Leicester took the lead in the 23rd minute through a
Patson Daka goal, putting Leicester into a 0–1 lead. Then, just before half-time,
Stephy Mavididi doubled the lead for Leicester in the 45th minute with a goal and Leicester led 0–2 by half-time. The second half was quiet, and Leicester played out a 0–2 win against Cheltenham, successfully claiming their spot in the FA Cup's 4th round. 2 days after this victory, the fourth round draw for the
FA Cup was complete on 12 January 2026, and Leicester were drawn away to fellow
EFL Championship side Southampton. Leicester then remained on the road for the third game running, playing
Wrexham at
Racecourse Ground for a midweek Championship clash on 20 January 2026. The first half was goalless, but in the 2nd half,
Lewis O'Brien scored for the hosts in the 63rd minute to put them 1–0 up. However, Leicester got a 90th-minute equaliser after
Jannik Vestergaard scored to make it 1–1, which was the full-time score, and Leicester walked away with a point. Leicester returned to the King Power for their first home game since 5 January 2026, and were playing relegation-threatened
Oxford United, who were in 23rd. Oxford stunned the King Power by taking the lead early on through
Sam Long in the 4th minute to put the visitors 0–1 up at half-time. In the second half, Oxford doubled their lead in the 71st minute after
Mark Harris scored to put them 0–2 up. Leicester grabbed one back through
Abdul Fatawu to make it 1–2, however Oxford held out until the full time whistle and Leicester were condemned to a defeat. The next day, on 25 January 2026, manager
Martí Cifuentes was sacked, following the home defeat to Oxford United, and club legend
Andy King was named as interim manager on a short term basis until a new manager was found. Leicester remained at home for another Championship clash against
Charlton Athletic on 31 January 2026, in what was King's first game as interim manager. Leicester started the game poorly, with
Caleb Okoli recklessly getting sent off for a challenge on
Miles Leaburn in the 15th minute, meaning Leicester were reduced to 10 men for the remainder of the game. Charlton used the man advantage to full extent, as
Sonny Carey scored for Charlton in the 36th minute to put the visitors 0–1 up. Charlton doubled their lead after
Lyndon Dykes scored in the 4th minute of first half stoppage time to put Charlton 0–2 up at half time. Leicester started the second half well, after
Abdul Fatawu won a penalty for Leicester, however
Jordan Ayew failed to convert, as his effort hit the post. Charlton held out for a 0–2 win at full time, and Leicester were consigned to 2 successive home losses, as well as King losing his first game as interim manager. Leicester played seven games in January, winning two against West Bromwich Albion and Cheltenham Town, drawing one to Wrexham and losing four against Sheffield United, Coventry City, Oxford United and Charlton Athletic. By the end of January, Leicester had played 30 Championship games, winning ten, drawing eight and losing twelve; they had 38 points, and were nine points away from then-sixth placed
Wrexham and then-22nd
Blackburn Rovers.
First team transfers (winter transfer window) The EFL Championship
winter transfer window opened on 1 January 2026 and closed on 2 February at 19:00 GMT. On 2 January 2026, Leicester opted to cancel
Julián Carranza's loan contract, which was originally meant to be a season-long loan, and the striker returned to parent club
Feyenoord. However, just two days later, he signed for Mexican side
Club Necaxa on a permanent deal. On 4 January 2026,
Sammy Braybrooke joined EFL League Two side
Chesterfield on loan for the rest of the 2025–26 season, after his short term loan spell at
Newport County had ended on 31 December 2025. On 13 January 2026,
Wout Faes joined
Ligue 1 side
Monaco on loan for the rest of the 2025–26 season. On 29 January 2026,
Boubakary Soumaré joined
Qatar Stars League side
Al Duhail on a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee. On 2 February 2026 (deadline day), Leicester confirmed the loan signing of
Joseph Aribo from fellow Championship side
Southampton. On 3 February 2026, one day after deadline day, Leicester confirmed the loan signings of
Divine Mukasa and
Dujuan Richards and the short term contract of
Jamaal Lascelles, all until the end of the season.
February On 5 February 2026, Leicester City received bad news, as they were deducted six points from the Championship due to breaching the
Profit and Sustainability Rules in the three-year reporting period ending with Season 2023–24, which left them on 32 points, hovering above the relegation on goal difference at the time in 20th. Leicester travelled away to
St Andrew's on 7 February 2026 for a Championship clash against
Birmingham City. Leicester went 1–0 down early, as
Ibrahim Osman scored for Birmingham in the 3rd minute. Leicester responded through
Abdul Fatawu, as he scored in the 21st minute to bring Leicester level at 1–1. However, Leicester got a red card in two successive games, with
Bobby De Cordova-Reid getting sent off in the 32nd minute, and Leicester were drawing 1–1 at half-time, despite being reduced to ten men. Birmingham took advantage of the ten men they were playing, and
Jay Stansfield scored for the hosts in the 67th minute to put them 2–1 up, and Birmingham ran out 2–1 winners, condemning Leicester to a third successive league defeat. Leicester returned to the King Power for a tough midweek Championship clash against
Southampton on 10 February 2026. Leicester began the game in excellent fashion, with
Man City loanee
Divine Mukasa scoring for Leicester in the 9th minute to put them 1–0 up.
Patson Daka doubled the lead within 4 minutes, as he scored to put Leicester 2–0 up within 13 minutes.
Abdul Fatawu then tripled the lead within 29 minutes to put Leicester 3–0 up at half-time, and Andy King was set for a first win as interim manager. However, Leicester capitulated horribly in the second half.
Ross Stewart scored for Southampton in the 61st minute to reduce the visitors' deficit to two goals, and the score was 3–1. Southampton scored another through
Jack Stephens in the 82nd minute and the game was very tight from here. Southampton levelled at 3–3 in the 87th minute through
Ryan Manning, and then completed a sensational comeback after
Shea Charles scored a 90+6' winner to put the visitors 3–4 up at full-time, marking a horrible Leicester collapse and Southampton walked away with three points; Leicester were condemned to three straight home defeats, as well as four successive league defeats. The result also saw them drop into the relegation zone following results elsewhere. Leicester then travelled away to
St Mary's Stadium for an
FA Cup clash against
Southampton, the team they had lost to at home four days prior, on 14 February 2026. Southampton took the lead in the first minute of first half stoppage time through
Cyle Larin, who converted his penalty, which was conceded by
Caleb Okoli. In the second half, Leicester responded quickly as
Oliver Skipp scored a bicycle kick in the 52nd minute to level the scores at 1–1. This was the score at full time, and the game advanced to extra time. The first half in extra time was goalless. The 2nd half saw
James Bree head in the winner in the 109th minute that saw Southampton advance to the fifth round of the FA Cup and knock Leicester out of the FA Cup. This defeat saw them consigned to their fifth defeat in a row in all competitions. On 18 February 2026, Leicester appointed new manager
Gary Rowett on a short term deal until the end of the season to keep their Championship status safe. Andy King's interim tenure saw him manage 4 games against Southampton (2 times), Birmingham and Charlton, and also saw him losing all 4 games.
April On 22 April 2026, Leicester were relegated to
League One after drawing 2–2 with
Hull. The relegation however was not confirmed due to a PSR charge against
West Brom relating to the 2024–26 financial period ongoing at the time of the game's conclusion. However, on 24 April 2026, the EFL confirmed their decision to deduct West Brom two points for PSR breaches, meaning Leicester would not receive a reprieve from relegation and thus confirming League One football for the following season. ==Management team==