Leicester City are yet to play the first match of the post-Ranieri era.
When they do, they’ll begin Monday evening’s game with Liverpool knowing that they’re in the relegation zone.
Crystal Palace’s one goal victory over Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon was enough for them to climb above Leicester and into 17th place in the Premier League table.
Obviously, this comes as a blow to Foxes supporters in a week in which they’ve already had more than their fair share of bad news.
But hey, things aren’t all that bad. As it turns out, Leicester aren’t the first team to find themselves in the relegation zone the season after winning the Premier League title.
As pointed out by OptaJoe, Leicester follow the Manchester United side of 2007/08 to this unwanted feat. Unlike Leicester, that United side found themselves in the drop zone in the season’s very first month. Draws with Reading and Portsmouth were followed by a 1-0 defeat at Manchester City, with United beginning the defence of their crown slowly. Of course, things did pick up, and United reclaimed their crown – also winning their third European Cup that season, too.
2 – This is the 2nd time the reigning PL champions have been in the relegation zone the following season, after Man Utd in Aug 2007. Fall.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 25, 2017
We’re probably safe in saying that it’s too late for Leicester to mount a title push now, but who knows – perhaps the European Cup is still viable?
Catch up with this week’s episode of 888sport Football Friday Live
