The Sports Psychology Blog
This Sports Psychology blog comes, as Leicester City find themselves relegated from The Championship.
Football: Leicester City - Stability
Their 2007-08 season started with such optimism. Milan Mandarich talking about the goal of Premiership football. New manager Martin Allen, keen to impress at a higher level. All seemed in place for a promotion push, especially after Watford were put to the sword at The Walkers Stadium. Yet, nine months later, Leicester City find themselves relegated to League One.
Relegations don't happen by accident. Especially to Championship clubs capable of attracting gates of 30,000. Finishing in the bottom three is determined by points accrued obviously. But it's also a measurement of other things. Talent; team-spirit; management. Clearly factors which impact on performance. But what about other influences? Such as instability. Instability brought about by hiring three managers in one season.
Measured on instability alone, then The Foxes would finish bottom of the table. It normally takes a new manager around eighteen months to make his mark on a football team. That's on the playing side. Then another few years to start to develop the football club's support structures. .
Three managers in one season, is like throwing a lighted match into the firework factory. Especially strong-minded individuals like Allen; Megson; Holloway. It's more change and uncertainty than most football clubs could cope with.
There will be calls for Ian Holloway to be sacked. But that would be foolish. Right now Leicester City need a sustained period of stability. A chance for the manager to build structures, that serve the long-term future of the football club.
It's a time for calm and patience. For the powers that be, to take a step back and try to understand why Leicester City find themselves in League One. A reality check. On the playing and management side, yes. But also at board level. The findings may be harsh. But Dr. Reality should be welcomed, when he comes to town. For success, cannot be built on flawed foundations.
