Team Focus: Will Leicester Struggle After Surprise Sacking of Pearson?
Given how strongly Leicester City ended the season, it was something of a shock when news of Nigel Pearson’s sacking began to circulate on social media. The fiery manager guided the Foxes to safety when, at the end of March, it seemed impossible. However, 22 points from their final 9 games of the season - the most of any Premier League team since the beginning of April - was enough to land a 14th placed finish.
Despite his touchline antics, Pearson worked wonders to not only carry Leicester into the Premier League but keep them there in their return season. What their end to the campaign perhaps did do, however, is mask what was a hugely underwhelming period for the club between September and December. A 13-game winless run after a bright start to the season was the longest of its kind in the Premier League last term, in a period that saw them dubbed favourites to drop back into the Championship.
Granted, any team that is promoted is tipped to struggle early on and the Foxes, despite a run of just 1 defeat in their opening 5 games, did just that. That the team footed the table on Christmas day, however, only accentuates their turnaround under Pearson, who deserves ample credit for the way his team performed in the final stretch. The players never stopped fighting for their manager, highlighted in that only four teams averaged more tackles per game than Leicester (20.8) in the Premier League last season.
Furthermore, only Arsenal (20.2) averaged more interceptions per league match in England’s top tier last term than the Foxes (19.6). Pearson’s side were revered for the swiftness of which they would come flying out of the blocks, especially towards the end of last season. This meant opposition sides struggled to settle into a rhythm early on, thus presenting Leicester with numerous goalscoring chances in the opening exchanges of games.
The 51-year-old brought out the best in the likes of Jamie Vardy - who registered more assists (8) than any other Leicester player - club-record signing Leonardo Ulloa - whose 11 league goals was a team-high - and Riyad Mahrez - who averaged more dribbles per game (2.6) than at other player at the club. However, it was the defensive shift that ultimately helped Leicester secure their top-flight safety.
For 7 of the final 9 games of the campaign, the Foxes adopted a 3-man defence, with Wes Morgan and Marcin Wasilewski flanking January arrival Robert Huth. The experienced German joined initially on loan from Stoke and played a crucial role in their quest to stave off relegation. Huth gained a better WhoScored rating (7.42) than any other Leicester player last season. The 30-year-old centre-back also averaged more interceptions (3.2), clearances (7.7) and won more aerial duels per game (4.1) than any other performer at the club last term. Unsurprisingly, Leicester made his loan move permanent this summer.
Furthermore, the performances of Marc Albrighton contributed to their prolonged success as the campaign came to a head. The former Aston Villa winger struggled to hold down a regular starting berth at the beginning of his time at the club, but was a key member of the first team as the campaign neared its climax. A WhoScored rating of 7.83 was the best of all Leicester players over the final 9 games of the term, with the 25-year-old excellent when deployed as a right wing-back.
From a footballing perspective, the sacking certainly seems oddly timed, especially with the club hoping to build on their modest success from last season. With today signaling the official opening of the summer transfer window, the club is primed to spend big. Having already secured the permanent signing of Huth, Leicester have also acquired Christian Fuchs and Shinji Okazaki from Bundesliga pairing FC Schalke and Maniz 05 respectively.
Pearson must have had some say before the club sanctioned the deals, and given Okazaki was only confirmed on Friday, it’s certainly bewildering that the manager was given his marching orders earlier this week, with the Japan international costing the club just shy of £10m. The acquisition of the frontman, and Champions League experienced Fuchs for that matter, is a signal of intent by the club, who are maximising the significant increase in TV money to its full potential, and for good reason.
Leicester’s WhoScored rating (7.02) was the 10th best in the Premier League last season, but it’s the breakdown in this figure before and after April 1st that really highlights their upturn in form. After April 1st, the Foxes’ WhoScored rating (7.21) was the best of all Premier League teams, a huge improvement on that figure before that date (6.73). When the going got tough, Leicester got going.
Pearson warrants the praise for the way his team played during April and May, which ultimately saw them guarantee their top-flight safety. The club, therefore, should have considered this to use as a springboard for further success, with their now former manager at the forefront. The worry though is that Leicester may regress after relieving the man who got them to the Premier League of his duties. Antics away from football were undoubtedly the key contributing factor as to why Pearson lost his job at the King Power Stadium, but from a footballing viewpoint; the club were heading in the right direction and therefore in the wrong to sack the Englishman.
The question now is whether the Foxes will struggle without Pearson at the helm. To have come through the mire was a commendable feat by the former Hull and Saints boss, with the character and never-say-die attitude instilled benefitting the team and ultimately seeing them survive the drop. Unfortunately Pearson didn't help his own cause, particularly with the press, off the field - or on its sidelines for that matter - so his reputation has been tarnished regardless of his commendable achievements in the Midlands.
How will Leicester City perform next season without Nigel Pearson at the helm? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
