Leicester suffer 'horrible' relegation to 3rd tier 10 years after EPL title

Leicester City dropped into the third tier of English football on Tuesday after a 2-2 home draw against Hull City, continuing a dramatic fall from when they stunned the world by winning the 2016 Premier League title.

The Foxes tasted more success after winning England's top prize, reaching the Champions League quarterfinals in 2017 and beating Chelsea in the 2021 FA Cup final.

But after a prolonged period of poor recruitment and regular coaching upheaval severely contributed to the club's dire financial state, Leicester will now play against the likes of Bromley and Mansfield Town in League One.

"This club won the Premier League not too many moons ago," Leicester head coach Gary Rowett said, according to ESPN's Mark Ogden. "That was an incredible high at the time for the fans, for everyone associated with the club.

"I think everyone saw that as an amazing achievement. I think we can be equally as disappointed with how poor this moment is."

Leicester scored twice in quick succession in the second half to take a 2-1 lead over Hull. However, Oli McBurnie quickly restored parity at the King Power Stadium, and the scores remained level despite both teams' efforts.

Leicester were only relegated from the Premier League in 2025. Their descent from the top flight also marked the final season at the club for Jamie Vardy, who was the last 2016 Premier League winner to depart.

Marti Cifuentes, Andy King, and the incumbent Rowett have all managed Leicester this term. Only bottom-placed Sheffield Wednesday have conceded more goals than the Foxes. A host of former Premier League regulars, including ex-internationals Harry Winks (England) and Ricardo Pereira (Portugal), featured for Leicester on the day their descent was confirmed.

The draw with Hull left a seven-point gap between Leicester and safety. Relegation became a distinct possibility in early February when the club was deducted six points for breaking financial rules.

The East Midlands side still has to play Millwall and Blackburn Rovers before the Championship campaign is over.

"The bigger picture is you don't get relegated over three or four games, you get relegated over a season," Rowett reflected. "We have to learn. I think the club have to accept this is the horrible part of the journey of a football club."