Leicester City have endured a dismal start to their League One season with just one win in 11 league matches, including a draw at Notts County and a 2-1 home defeat to Burton Albion. Russell Martin, appointed manager in June 2024 after leading Southampton to the Premier League via the play-offs, faces intense scrutiny as his reputation is on the line. His possession-based style has drawn criticism from fans, with Lynn Wyeth of the Foxes Trust stating he was 'not a popular choice' and questioning the suitability of 'tippy tappy' football given the squad's limitations.

The club's struggles are compounded by off-field turmoil, as Thai owners King Power seek to sell the club after 16 years, with an eight-page sales booklet prepared but no official announcement from the Srivaddhanaprabha family. Financial difficulties persist, having lost nearly £100m in 2021-22 and 2022-23, resulting in a six-point deduction for profit and sustainability breaches in 2025-26. Despite summer sales of Abdul Fatawu to Ipswich Town and Jeremy Monga to Manchester City, high earners from the Premier League era remain, including Oliver Skipp, who was sent off against Burton.

Leicester's odds of a third successive relegation are now 33-1. Martin began his managerial career at MK Dons, where Leicester travel next, a ground associated with his early reputation for patient, possession-oriented football.