Martin & Foxes must 'find own way' after struggles

What the report says

BBC Sport reports that Leicester City manager Russell Martin has urged that neither he nor the club be assessed mainly through past events as he begins the task of rebuilding the Foxes in League One. Leicester, Premier League champions in 2016 and FA Cup winners in 2021, are in the third tier after successive relegations, a sharp fall that has increased scrutiny on the club’s leadership and direction.

Martin told BBC Radio Leicester that Leicester must “find our own way” and said he hopes to be judged on his work at the club rather than his recent spell at Rangers. The former Southampton manager, who previously won promotion to the Premier League with that club, was appointed in June in what BBC Sport describes as the first major decision since James McCarron became sporting director.

The report notes that chief football officer Jon Rudkin and owner-chairman Aiyawatt “Top” Srivaddhanaprabha have faced heavy criticism during Leicester’s decline. Martin said club officials had been open with him about recent problems and willing to move forward. He identified promotion as the primary goal, alongside establishing a playing style that supporters can understand and connect with.

Leicester’s squad remains unsettled after a summer of departures and financial pressure linked to spending rules, including a points penalty last season for historic breaches. BBC Sport says Jannik Vestergaard left by mutual consent, Harry Winks joined Cagliari, Abdul Fatawu moved to Ipswich Town for £20m, and teenager Jeremy Monga was sold to Manchester City. With several forwards gone, Martin said Leicester want to add attacking options, ideally including multiple strikers with different qualities.