Leicester City are staring relegation in the face, now sitting 15 points adrift of safety with just 21 points left to play for.
They haven’t found the net in any of their last eight league matches, a drought that stretches back over two months.
Even more concerning, their last goal at the King Power Stadium came on December 8th.
Since then, they’ve endured a historically poor run of form at home, becoming the first club in the top four divisions of English football to suffer eight consecutive home defeats without scoring a single goal.
With that kind of form, it seems inevitable that Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side will be playing Championship football next season.
As relegation looms, the club will likely begin preparing for a promotion push in the 2025/26 season.
Following Southampton’s decision to part ways with Ivan Juric immediately after their own drop this past weekend, there’s speculation that Leicester may adopt a similar approach and start the search for a new manager soon.
According to journalist Alan Nixon, former Southampton manager Russell Martin is reportedly among the leading candidates to take over from van Nistelrooy.
Martin has gained attention for his previous success in the Championship, and former Nottingham Forest and Southampton midfielder turned pundit David Prutton believes Martin will be in high demand this summer.
Prutton expressed strong support for Martin in an interview with Football League World, saying, “Russell should be highly coveted by any side who wants to get out of the Championship next season because he’s already done it.”
He added, “The changes at Leicester City haven’t worked out. Bringing in Ruud van Nistelrooy didn’t yield the results.
Under Steve Cooper, they were still above the drop zone, though with plenty of games to go. Now, they’re on the brink, finishing the season with barely a fight.”
If Martin does return to the Championship, Prutton believes Leicester City would be the most logical destination—especially if they’re aiming for a swift return to the top flight.
However, Prutton stressed that Martin’s coaching style could elevate any promotion-chasing team, not just recently relegated sides.
“I think Russell’s way of coaching, his style of play, and the way he motivates players would suit any team aiming for the top of the Championship,” he explained.
Still, questions remain about Martin’s capacity to adapt in the Premier League if promoted again.
His possession-heavy tactics helped Southampton develop a clear identity, unlike under Juric, and the team did challenge top Premier League sides like Liverpool, Manchester City, and Newcastle during his tenure.
However, Martin’s system also left the team vulnerable defensively.
Southampton conceded three or more goals in half of their Premier League matches under him, exposing their lack of balance.
Prutton acknowledged this, stating, “The challenge of evolving in the Premier League is a different task altogether.
It often comes down to investing heavily and having a bit of luck, much like Nottingham Forest.”
Ultimately, Martin’s tactics are clearly suited for success in the Championship—especially with a strong squad behind him.
If Leicester decide to appoint him ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, providing him with proper financial backing could be crucial.
Doing so might prevent the club from falling into a ‘yo-yo’ pattern of promotion and relegation.
