This is the first season since 2013–14 to not feature Marc Albrighton, who retired upon the expiration of his contract in the summer.[4]
Season summary
Start of season
August
Leicester City started the season with a home game against Tottenham Hotspur. Pedro Porro scored a header for Tottenham in the 29th minute to make it 1–0 to Tottenham, which was the score at half-time. Tottenham created many chances during the first half but were unable to take them, and were punished by Leicester for not doing so in the second half. The second half had restarted, and Victor Kristiansen put in a cross for Jamie Vardy, however he was unable to connect and the cross overhit to the right wing with Fatawu on the ball. He crossed to an unmarked Vardy in the box and Vardy scored to make it 1–1 in the 57th minute, the final score in the end.[5][6]
The first away game of the season, at Fulham's Craven Cottage was played on 24 August. Leicester lost 2–1 with an equalising goal from Wout Faes in the 38th minute. Emile Smith Rowe opened the scoring for Fulham and Alex Iwobi scored the winner in the 70th minute.[7]
Following a week’s break for international matches, Leicester returned to action on 14 September, playing Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in the Premier League. Jamie Vardy put the Foxes 1–0 up after 21 minutes. Then, Stephy Mavididi scored 37 seconds after the second half had restarted to make it 2–0 to the Foxes. Then, 86 seconds after Mavididi's goal, Jean-Philippe Mateta scored to make it 2–1. The score remained the same until the 92th minute when Jean-Phillipe Mateta scored a late penalty to make it 2–2, the final score.[12] On 21 September, Leicester were at home in the Premier League to Everton. The visitors scored in the first-half with a goal from Iliman Ndiaye in the 12th minute. Leicester equalised in the 73rd minute through Stephy Mavididi. The game finished 1–1.[13]
On 24 September, Leicester City travelled to the Bescot Stadium to play Walsall in an EFL Cup third round match. The game finished 0–0 with both sides unable to score any goals. In the penalty shoot-out, Danny Ward saved all 3 Walsall penalties to help Leicester advance through to the fourth round 3–0 on penalties. They were then drew to Manchester United away at Old Trafford for the fourth round of the EFL Cup.
The Emirates Stadium hosted Leicester on 28 September as they played Arsenal in the Premier League. Gabriel Martinelli scored for Arsenal after 20 minutes, and then Arsenal doubled their lead through a Leandro Trossard goal to make it 2–0 at half-time. In the second half, James Justin scored in the 47th minute through a header and then scored a superb volley to level it at 2–2 in the 63rd minute. However, in the fourth minute of injury time in the second half, Wilfred Ndidi scored an own-goal via an Arsenal corner to make it 3–2 to Arsenal. 5 minutes later, Kai Havertz sealed the game with a goal to eventually make it 4–2 to Arsenal, the final score.[14]
October
On 5 October, Leicester returned at home in the Premier League for their match against Bournemouth. Facundo Buonanotte opened the scoresheet in the 16th minute for Leicester. Bournemouth had many chances to equalise throughout the game however the match finished 1–0 in Leicester's favour, giving Leicester their first Premier League win of the season, as well as their first home win of the season.[15]
On 19 October, Leicester travelled to St Mary's Stadium for a Premier League game against Southampton. Cameron Archer scored for Southampton in the 8th minute and Joe Aribo scored to make it 2–0 to Southampton after just 28 minutes, which was the score at half time. In the second-half, Leicester scored three goals in a 3–2 comeback win through a 64th minute goal from Facundo Buonanotte, a Jamie Vardy penalty goal in which Ryan Fraser was sent off and Jordan Ayew in the 8th minute of added stoppage time. This obtained Leicester their 2nd win of the Premier League season and their first away win in the Premier League season.[16]
Returning to the King Power Stadium on 25 October, Leicester played Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. After Nottingham Forest opened the scoring through a Ryan Yates strike through a corner, Jamie Vardy equalised in the 23rd minute to make it 1–1, the score at half-time. However, in the second half, former Leicester player Chris Wood scored a brace against his old team, scoring in the 47th minute and the 60th minute to complete his brace. No further goals were scored, and Nottingham Forest came out 3–1 winners against fierce rivals Leicester.
Leicester then travelled to Manchester United's Old Trafford for an EFL Cup Round 4 game. Leicester lost the game 5–2, with a first-half brace from Casemiro, a goal from Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes giving United 4 goals. However, Leicester scored twice with a strike from El Khannouss hitting both posts and going in and a header from a corner by Conor Coady making the score 4–2 at half-time. Bruno Fernandes struck again for his brace in the 59th minute and the game ended 5–2 to United in the end.[17]
November
On 2 November, Leicester travelled to Portman Road to play Ipswich Town in the Premier League. Ipswich took the lead in the 53rd minute from a superb volley by Leif Davis. In the 77th minute, Kalvin Phillips was sent-off for Ipswich having received two yellow cards, leaving them down to 10 men. Leicester equalised in the 4th minute of stoppage time in the second half through a Jordan Ayew goal, making it 1–1. The game finished 1–1 and Leicester remained in 15th place.[18] Leicester then travelled to Old Trafford on 10 November for a Premier League game against Manchester United. It finished 3–0, with a Bruno Fernandes strike in the 17th minute making it 1–0 to United. A deflected Bruno Fernandes shot then hit Victor Kristansen, who scored an own goal this way, making it 2–0 to United. In the second half, substitute Alejandro Garnacho scored in the 82nd minute to secure a 3–0 win for United.[19] Leicester City’s next game was a Premier League fixture against Chelsea on 23 November. They took the lead in the 15th minute when Nicolas Jackson capitalised on a defensive error from Wout Faes and scored, making it 1–0 Chelsea. This remained the score at half time. In the second half, they added a second in the 75th minute when Enzo Fernández scored another goal for Chelsea to make it 2–0 to Chelsea. Leicester were then awarded a penalty 5 minutes into stoppage time in the second half, which was converted by Jordan Ayew to make it 2–1. Nevertheless, the game finished 2–1 in Chelsea's favour as Leicester dropped down to 16th place in the league.[20]
Leicester then sacked manager Steve Cooper following the loss to Chelsea. The club was 1 point above the relegation zone, having already suffered their sixth loss of the season and only 2 wins from 12 games. His assistant manager Alan Tate also left the club on the same day, and so did Steve Rands, the club's First Team Coach.[21]
The Foxes were the visitors to the Gtech Community Stadium on 30 November for a Premier League game against Brentford, with Ben Dawson taking charge as interim manager before Ruud van Nistelrooy officially took charge of first-team duties.. They took the lead in the 21th minute when Buonanotte scored a tap-in from long range. Brentford equalised quickly in the 25th minute through Yoanne Wissa. Then shortly after, Kevin Schade completed his brace in 23 minutes, scoring in the 29th minute and the 8th minute of first half stoppage time, leaving Brentford 3–1 up in the first half. 14 minutes after the second half began, Schade completed his first professional hat-trick by scoring in the 59th minute. No further goals were scored, and Brentford ran out 4–1 winners in the end. Leicester remained 16th in the table, 1 point above the relegation zone.[22]
December
On 1 December, Ruud van Nistelrooy was officially appointed as First Team Manager, in place of the recently sacked Steve Cooper. Jelle ten Rouwellar also joined the club on the same day as assistant manager, in place of Alan Tate and Ben Dawson was appointed new First Team Coach in place of Steve Rands.[23]
Ruud van Nistelrooy got his first win with Leicester in his debut match, 3–1 against West Ham United at the King Power Stadium on 3 December, through a goal in just 98 seconds from Vardy, a 61st minute strike from El Khannouss to mark his debut Premier League goal and Daka in the 90th minute to grab his first Premier League goal of the season, and the score was 3–0 after the normal 90 minutes of regulation time. Niclas Füllkrug then scored a consolation goal to make it 3–1 in the 3rd minute of added stoppage time. The game ended in a 3–1 win to the Foxes. [24] In Ruud's second game in charge at home, on 8 December, he managed to rescue a late point at the King Power against Brighton in a 2–2 draw, after being 2–0 down in the 85th minute, through late goals from Jamie Vardy in the 86th minute and Bobby De-Cordova Reid in the first minute of added time with a Jamie Vardy assist.[25] Then, on 14 December, Leicester dropped down to 17th place in the league after recording their worst loss of the season, a 4–0 away loss to Newcastle United.[26] Leicester then lost their next 2 games against Wolves and Liverpool, which meant that they would be in the relegation zone for the first time in the season.[27][28]
Management team
The management team from the start of the season until 24 November 2024.
Players and squad numbers last updated on 30 August 2024. Appearances include all competitions.[29] Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
On 22 June, Leicester City announced their first pre-season friendly, versus Shrewsbury Town.[73] Two weeks later, a third fixture was confirmed, against FC Augsburg.[74] On 15 July, a fourth friendly was added, against Palermo in Chesterfield.[75]
Updated to match(es) played on 1 January 2025. Source: Premier League Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) If the champions, relegated teams or qualified teams for UEFA competitions cannot be determined by rules 1 to 3, rules 4.1 to 4.3 are applied – 4.1) Points gained in head-to-head record between such teams; 4.2) Away goals scored in head-to-head record between such teams; 4.3) Play-offs[76]
Note: Fixture was initially scheduled for 21 December, but was moved following advice from local authorities due to a clash with Leicester Tigers also having a home fixture.[81]
Leicester entered the EFL Cup in the second round and won at home against Tranmere Rovers.[84][85] They were then drawn away to Walsall in the third round,[86][87] before being knocked out of the competition away to Manchester United in the fourth round.[88]
