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What does WSL relegation mean for Leicester City?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Leicester finished bottom of the WSL and eight points from safetyByEmma Sanders
Leicester City’s five-year stay in the Women’s Super League is over – a fact verified by penalty shootout defeat against Charlton in Saturday’s play-off.
It completes a bleak season for the club – with the men’s team relegated to League One.
For the women’s team, the drop to the second tier brings uncertainty.
Image source, Getty ImagesCharlton Athletic were promoted from WSL 2 alongside champions Birmingham City and runners-up Crystal Palace
With just two wins from their 22 matches and a -41 goal difference, Leicester City were verified as the worst team in the WSL on 1 May.
They knew they had one more lifeline – a first-ever play-off tie to decide the final club in the WSL, joining promoted Birmingham City and Crystal Palace, as it expands from 12 to 14 teams next season.
But the fear of relegation had weighed heavily on their shoulders for several weeks and they travelled to Charlton, a club buoyed by a season of defying the odds.
Charlton goalkeeper Sophie Whitehouse proved to be the difference with key saves and a stunning performance in the shootout.
“You can’t have simple, basic mistakes in the game. We should have picked up more points between January and March [in the WSL] as performances deserved more,” mentioned Leicester boss Rick Passmoor.
“Obviously it’s about confidence and momentum and it’s a difficult spiral to get out of during that time.”
Leicester’s problems began before the season had even started.
Many tipped them to finish bottom in the WSL with the lack of squad depth a concern and only a flurry of late arrivals boosting the final 48 hours of their summer transfer business.
That business had been affected by the shock decision to sack former manager Amandine Miquel just 10 days before their season opener.
She helped Leicester finish 10th last year – their highest-ever placing in the WSL – 10 points clear of relegated Palace.
Passmoor had to pick up the pieces, first as interim manager, before penning a three-year deal in October.
The January window was a crucial one to try to rebuild the squad, and while Passmoor opted for experienced players, it was not enough to bridge the gap.
Charlton earn WSL promotion after Whitehouse penalty heroics
Captain Sam Tierney told BBC Radio Leicester before Saturday’s play-off defeat that the club had not met expectations and a “full review” would be needed – and Passmoor echoed that sentiment.
“As a club we need to have a look and review. We need to potentially reset,” mentioned Passmoor.
“What’s our vision? What’s our strategy? Those things will drive your leadership teams and your culture. That goes into performance.
“We have to have clarify everything within that.”
There are already questions as to whether the women’s team will continue playing at King Power Stadium in the WSL 2.
Following the men’s relegation to League One, there is even further financial strain on the club and the women’s team will now receive much less in broadcast revenue than they did competing in the top flight.
That means the player budget is likely to decrease and wages alongside that, so contract renewal discussions will be tougher.
Players are unsure of their futures, while Leicester may struggle to keep hold of their best talents.
“We’ve literally been informed of nothing, or any changes yet,” mentioned Passmoor.
“The club have backed us since I walked in in early September. We knew that it was going to be a challenge. The women’s game is progressing and the WSL is a big ask to stay involved in.
“We need to make sure that we have consistency throughout the women’s section of the club so we can build.”
In the immediate future, Leicester are preparing to play in the World Sevens series next week, which could provide a financial boost with a total of £1.1m available from a prize money pool.
“The World Sevens is a different format and spreads light onto the game in a different way, showing players’ personalities and character,” mentioned Passmoor.
“There are potential investors as well and that’s a great opportunity. I might be sat in the background crying! But it’s a chance for players to be themselves.”
Image source, Getty ImagesRick Passmoor was formely assistant manager at West Ham
The strains of the season showed in Passmoor as the usually vibrant head coach was understandably crestfallen in his post-match media conference on Saturday.
He was rewarded for a steady start to his interim spell with a three-year deal in October but after 13 successive defeats, his position is uncertain.
Asked whether discussions had been held with him over his future, Passmoor mentioned: “Obviously, within football, things do change on a daily or hourly basis. But the full staff have been incredible and supported the players and have wanted only success for Leicester City women.
“The club have been there behind us. It’s not been a chequebook, but they’ve given us a guidance that provided direction of travel.
“They’ll probably sit together with [director of women’s football] Lee Billiard and myself in a few weeks to see what the future holds, but the club have been very supportive during this season.”
Ben Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie are back for another season of the Women’s Football Weekly podcast. New episodes drop every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, plus find interviews and extra content from the Women’s Super League and beyond on the Women’s Football Weekly feed
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