Leicester City Women’s Team Faces Major Changes Following Relegation
Leicester City is undergoing significant transformations after being relegated from the Women’s Super League (WSL) to WSL 2 in May, a move that has prompted a considerable exodus of players from the club. As the summer transfer window progresses, fourteen players have already departed, including nine who participated in the WSL play-off defeat to Charlton Athletic.
Among the key losses, goalkeeper Janina Leitzig has signed with Manchester United, while promising attacking talents such as Hannah Cain, Noemie Mouchon, and Jutta Rantala have transferred to Everton. This mass departure sets the stage for a major rebuild as Leicester aims to secure a quick return to the top tier.
In a positive development for the team, captain Sam Tierney, the club’s longest-serving player, renewed her contract until 2028 in July. The 27-year-old has made 151 appearances for Leicester and expressed her commitment to the club amid the upheaval. “I’m not the type to want to jump ship. Since I’ve been at Leicester, I’ve created a genuine connection with the club,” Tierney told BBC Sport. She emphasized her desire to succeed and her belief in the potential for rebuilding.
Tierney reflected on the challenges faced last season, as Leicester’s campaign mirrored the men’s team’s struggle, culminating in relegation. With only two wins from 22 matches and a -41 goal difference, the team’s future raised concerns, particularly regarding their home at King Power Stadium and budget cuts. However, the club has responded to the situation by allowing player departures for transfer fees that will help reinvest in the squad.
Looking ahead, Tierney is optimistic about what lies ahead for Leicester. “I want to make sure people want to play for Leicester. I want people to stay at Leicester. I want people to be jealous of Leicester,” she stated, acknowledging the club’s potential.
Having joined Leicester from Sheffield United in 2020, Tierney has experienced significant changes at the club, including playing under seven different managers. She was part of the successful promotion to the WSL in 2021 and the team that reached the Women’s FA Cup semi-finals in 2024. While she recognizes that improvements “won’t happen overnight,” she emphasizes the importance of creating a sustainable environment in the WSL, moving away from the yo-yo status seen in recent years.
Leicester has initiated pre-season training, highlighted by a win over Rugby Borough, a draw with Manchester United, and a loss to Liverpool. As they gear up for their WSL 2 season opener against Sheffield United on September 6, Tierney senses a shift within the squad. “We can feel that we’ve changed,” she remarked, focusing on the collective commitment needed from new signings and returning players alike.
Tierney is looking forward to a less stressful season, free from the immediate threat of relegation. She noted the unseen difficulties players face when competing under such pressures. With aspirations for a more dynamic team, Tierney stated their goals include being “difficult to beat” and surprising opponents while striving for promotion in a way that ensures long-term sustainability in the league.
When Leicester City were relegated from the Women’s Super League to WSL 2 in May, it was the catalyst for a mass exodus from the club.
Fourteen players have already left in the summer transfer window including nine who featured in the WSL play-off defeat by Charlton Athletic.
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Goalkeeper Janina Leitzig switched to Manchester United while talented attacking trio Hannah Cain, Noemie Mouchon and Jutta Rantala joined Everton.
It means a major rebuild is on the cards as they look to bounce back from the second tier this season.
However, captain Sam Tierney, who is the longest-serving player at Leicester, gave supporters a major boost when she agreed a new deal until 2028 in July.
The 27-year-old has made 151 appearances for the Foxes and has been there through thick and thin – so why has she chosen to stay?
“I’m not the type to want to jump ship. Since I’ve been at Leicester, I’ve created a genuine connection with the club,” Tierney told BBC Sport.
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“I wanted to succeed and we’ve had a good number of years where’s it’s been up and down, but I feel like now we’re at a point where we can rebuild.
“I think it’s difficult because Leicester, at the minute, gets a bit of a bad rep. The club is fantastic and so are the people.
“It’s a family kind of club and we’re just going through a change. I am very proud to play for Leicester.”
‘I want people to be jealous of Leicester’
Last season was one to forget for Leicester as their five-year stay in the WSL ended the same way as their men’s team, who were relegated to League One.
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The women’s side picked up just two wins from their 22 matches and ended with a -41 goal difference having struggled to score.
It sparked concerns about the women’s team’s future with questions being asked as to whether they would continue playing at King Power Stadium and if their budget would be slashed.
But the club have acted swiftly, allowing players who wanted to leave to go for valuable fees which have been used to reinvest in the squad.
Only time will tell if it will be enough but Tierney hopes this is an opportunity to grow a new Leicester that will “make people jealous” in the future.
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“When I first joined Leicester, we were training on one of the local parks. We weren’t at Belvoir Drive where the men were. The progression is incredible,” she said.
“I want to make sure people want to play for Leicester. I want people to stay at Leicester. I want people to be jealous of Leicester.
“I know that’s the potential of this club and hopefully we’ll get that.”
Tierney joined Leicester from Sheffield United in 2020 and has played under seven managers during her time at the club.
She was part of the team who earned promotion to the WSL in 2021 and reached the Women’s FA Cup semi-finals in 2024.
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The midfielder knows changes “won’t happen overnight” but she hopes Leicester can become “sustainable” in the WSL and not a yo-yo club as they have been recently.
“The type of person I am means I’m not happy if I don’t feel like I’m finished somewhere,” added Tierney.
“The direction the club want to go in and the change that needs to be made to do that, I’m on board with.
“Ultimately, my biggest thing is to make sure people feel the same connection that I have to the club and they want the club to progress.
“The moment that I leave, I want Leicester to be in a better position than when I started here.”
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‘It’s time to change the narrative’
Leicester’s pre-season is under way. They beat Rugby Borough, earned a draw against Manchester United and lost to Liverpool.
Six new signings have joined the squad, with three other players renewing their contracts alongside Tierney.
As they prepare for their WSL 2 opener against Sheffield United on 6 September (14:00 BST), Tierney says she can feel “a change”.
“You can see there’s been a reflection period, there’s been a review and you can see the direction we want to go in. We can feel that. We’ve changed,” said Tierney.
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“Players change all the time, every team goes through that, but it’s important that everyone coming in has the same drive and desire to commit to it.
“We’ve got those people and it has been quite refreshing. We want to be a different Leicester and it’s time to change the narrative on who we are and how we’re seen.”
On a personal level, Tierney hopes this season can be a more enjoyable one as captain, when the threat of relegation isn’t a weekly stress.
She says it is “not always acknowledged” how difficult those seasons can be for everybody involved at the club and this season is a chance to restart.
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“It’s hard as a player. You’re trying to give it your all but things just aren’t going right,” Tierney added.
“We want to be an exciting team, we want to be a team on the ball, we want to be a team that’s difficult to beat and we want to surprise some people.
“Of course the aim is to go up. But it’s got to be done in a sustainable way because if I sit here this time next year and we’re in a worse position, then there’s no point.
“We’re going to make sure we’re ready to challenge at the top of this league, get promoted and stay in the WSL for years to come.”
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