Leicester City’s Demise Is A Victory For Manchester United

BusinessSportsMoneyLeicester City’s Demise Is A Victory For Manchester UnitedByZak Garner-Purkis,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. An investigative journalist who also writes about European soccer.Follow AuthorApr 27, 2026, 04:18pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Leicester City's Patson Daka react after defeat and resulting relegation following the Sky Bet Championship match and at the King Power Stadium, Leicester. Picture date: Tuesday April 21, 2026. (Photo by Jacob King/PA Images via Getty Images)PA Images via Getty ImagesTwo patronizing narratives emerged after Leicester City’s relegation.​First is the narrative painting relegation as the tragic end to the Foxes’ fairy tale rise from obscurity.The second, fueled by Gary Lineker and others, suggests Leicester’s recent successes outweigh their relegation pain.The suggestion that Foxes supporters should be appreciative of past achievements is not new.Ever since Leicester City won the Premier League title against all odds in 2015, there has been a steady flow of criticism for fans who dared to think that poor performances weren’t acceptable.As the club suffered relegation from the Premier League last year, former Foxes midfielder Robbie Savage made a similar point.“If you ask any Leicester fan, I know there's frustration now, but if you'd have said to any Leicester fan 10 years ago, there'd be ups and downs, but you'll win the Premier League and FA Cup.”His co-host on the BBC that night, Darren Fletcher, interrupted, adding: “And play in the Champions League and reach the quarter-finals against Atletico Madrid.”Yet this argument misses a crucial, often-ignored point.The brick wall the club hit as it tried to break into the elite.MORE FOR YOUBetween 2019 and 2021, the club finished fifth twice and then eighth. Often in those three seasons, they were in the...