Despite relegation to the third tier of English football for the first time in their history, it seems the chairman and his manager still have a lot of fans. This Sportingo writer asks why this is the case - and just how did it all go so wrong.
'We all know the likeable side of Holloway and we could all feel his pain during his almost tearful TV interview after Sunday’s draw at Stoke'
What happens now at beleaguered Leicester City? Chairman Milan Mandaric has pledged his future to the club and it would seem, looking at the Leicester City fans forums and message boards, that this news has gone down pretty well.
Although it may seem unusual for a chairman in these circumstances to keep that support, I can understand why Leicester fans will want him to stay. He is a winner and the dismal relegation this season will have hurt him as much anybody. He will be determined to put things right, quickly. He is a man of substantial means and he has shown before that he is prepared to do what needs to be done to get success.
Mandaric has so far refused to speculate on the future of manager Ian Holloway, saying he will review the situation, but past experience would suggest that his days at the Walkers Stadium may well be numbered.
In relation to the manager there seems to be a 50-50 split amongst the Leicester faithful. Many are vociferous in their calls for Holloway to be sacked, but an equal number are very clear that he should be kept on.
We all know the likeable side of Holloway and we could all feel his pain during his almost tearful TV interview after Sunday’s draw at Stoke. However, he must be acutely aware that taking the club to the third tier of English football for the first time in its history must come pretty close to being a sackable offence.
Since being founded in 1884 as Leicester Fosse, the club has never experienced what they are currently trying to come to terms with. They have a long and proud history and this relegation will be a bitter pill for the Foxes faithful to swallow. I have no doubt that the arrival of Mandaric at the club in a blaze of publicity would have raised serious expectations of a return to the Premier League, rather than what has actually followed.
So I would like to know from the Holloway backers and supporters in Leicester why they think he should be given the chance to repair the damage that this season has inflicted on the club.
In these circumstances normally I would expect a vast majority of the fans to be calling for the manager’s head. In fact, with so many changes of manager and a lack of consistency, I would also expect to see "Sack the Board" banners, not support and praise for the chairman. Despite the ignominy of relegation, Mandaric and Holloway have retained support.
It is highly unusual and I would like to ask the Foxes why this is. Is the blame for relegation placed squarely on the shoulders of the players? Do the fans feel that it was they who let down not just the fans, but the manager and chairman as well?
And it would be interesting to know if you think the club can bounce back quickly from this disaster - with or without Ian Holloway at the helm.
Is there any way back for Leicester? And will Ian Holloway be a part of the future at the Walkers Stadium? Have your say below, or submit your own article to Sportingo.