A toxic atmosphere could break out at the King Power Stadium on Saturday lunchtime as Leicester City supporters are planning to protest during their clash against Arsenal.
Leicester City fans plan to protest in the 14th minute against Arsenal. The number 14 relates to the failed transfer of Adrien Silva in 2017. The Foxes agreed to a £22 million deal to sign the Portuguese midfielder from Sporting Lisbon, only to miss the deadline to register him by 14 seconds.
Supporters have grown increasingly frustrated with Director of Football Jon Rudkin, who is responsible for Leicester’s demise and lack of activity in the transfer window.
In several games this term, fans have called for Rudkin to be sacked, most recently in their 4-0 loss to Everton in the Premier League.
However, this weekend sections of the fanbase are set to take their protests up a notch as they voice their concerns over the continuous poor decision-making.
Ruud van Nistelrooy sends message to Leicester City fans planning to protest
Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has been dealt a poor hand since joining the club in November. Van Nistelrooy wanted four players in the transfer window, and only one arrived through the door – a £3m transfer of Woyo Coulibaly from Parma.
There were even talks of Van Nistelrooy quitting Leicester after failing to get sufficient business done, although the former PSV boss looks set to stay till the end of the season.
Ahead of Leicester’s clash against Arsenal on Saturday, the 48-year-old has now urged the fans to get behind the team once the game kicks off.
“When you play in front of your home crowd and there’s a connection from a tackle, a chance or a big moment, I know as a player and a coach what that means for the team. So we hope they will get behind them,” Van Nistelrooy said.
“Of course, it’s good that they can get what they want off their chest, but when it gets to 12:30 pm, I hope that we have the full support of the crowd.”
Fan unrest is at an all-time high at Leicester
Fans have every right to voice their concerns over what has been a turbulent few years. From the appointment of Steve Cooper to replace Enzo Maresca and a shocking summer transfer window, Leicester set themselves up to fail before they even started.
Although Cooper is statistically better than Van Nistelrooy when comparing their respective records, supporters were still unhappy with the Welshman’s appointment and were pleased when he was sacked.
While that is the case, the main culprits responsible for their downfall are Rudkin and Leicester City owner Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha.
Top was seen playing polo on transfer deadline day instead of working hard to get players through the door, adding to the frustrations of an already angered fanbase.
Most fans are now resigned to relegation this term, and unless there is a drastic change, Leicester will return to the Championship.