Leicester City

Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

Leicester City boss Ruud van Nistelrooy has been speaking to the media before Sunday's final game of the Premier League season against Bournemouth (kick-off 16:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• There are no fresh injury concerns and the travelling squad should be "similar" to last weekend.

• It was Jamie Vardy's last day at Seagrave Training Ground earlier this week, with today marking "the first day of the post-Jamie Vardy era" at Leicester City. He added: "Jamie made sure he collected everything. He went past all of the departments for a chat and a thank you. Of course he will be welcome back whenever he feels like it."

• When questioned on how they will approach the game without their preferred striker, he said: "It's clear for the 10 players that play around the striker how we want to play, on and off the ball. I don't think filling in that position with another striker will require a lot of change."

• He likened Patson Daka to Jamie Vardy because he is able to "make deep runs and be quick in transitions".

• Bournemouth are a "very direct, quick, strong and physical team" that like to "change positions" in-game. He highlighted Justin Kluivert and Evanilson as two players the Foxes will need to control because of their "dynamic" down the wing.

• He had a message for the Leicester City fans travelling down to Bournemouth this weekend: "I would like to thank them for their ongoing , both away and at home. What we have to do, and what we want to do, is give them something to cheer about again. That's the most important thing."

• After a turnaround in form in recent weeks, he itted that "it would be good to find out" about his future at the club beyond this season, but there haven't been "any other conversations" between him and the club.

• When asked about reports this week that suggested his managerial fate has already been decided, he responded: "I read them and go back to my job because that's what I'm here for. That's what my responsibility is. That's where my drive is - to prepare for the games with the players."

• On whether he is frustrated that it has taken so long to see the fruits of his labour, he itted: "Of course it is, but that's obviously the time it needed to show through. It is true that it has come too late."

• He believes a change of mindset has turned the tide for Leicester City in recent weeks: "Six weeks ago, I came into this room and changed the narrative on the season. I turned it to shaping the future and bringing in academy players. Those six weeks have been with development and results, so it's something I want to continue with the players."

• Early relegation could have been "an opportunity to start planning early" for next season in the Championship. He added: "For me, that is in the club's interest. It's not about me and my future, it's about the good of the football club. I always share that with the board and the chairman, and then of course it is up to them how they want to deal with it."

• It is "important" to get clarity not only for himself, but also for the club and the ers. He explained: "We will all find out, hopefully sooner rather than later. I think it's important for it to be clear what the plan for next season is. It is going to be a big one."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

The latest When You're Smiling podcast has landed.

BBC Radio Leicester's Owynn Palmer-Atkin is ed by former Leicester City striker Matty Fryatt and The Fosse Way's Iain Wright to dissect "another strange week" at Leicester City.

There is plenty to discuss, including Jamie Vardy's impending departure, the club's latest PSR charge and the promise in Leicester's academy.

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire also s the pod to discuss PSR, plus hear from Foxes academy graduate Kasey McAteer, who scored his first Premier League goal in the win over Ipswich last Saturday.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Leicester City's 38-year-old veteran forward Jamie Vardy is a target for Spanish side Valencia. (Sun), external

Nottingham Forest are monitoring developments with Leicester City's 17-year-old English forward Lorenz Hutchinson. (Mail), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

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Kate Blakemore
Fan writer

We asked our Leicester fan contributor for their four candidates for player of the season and you can now select your top one.

Jamie Vardy

Despite at one stage having an 11-game goal drought, Vardy is our top goalscorer this season on a tear-inducing nine goals (the bar is low this year). His performances have fallen short of his usual high standards, but he has still brought some of his magic to the back of the net.

Mads Hermansen

The first half of the season, before his month-long injury, Mads had placed himself firmly in the shop window for some of the top clubs. He was pulling off some spectacular saves - his performance at Arsenal genuinely avoided a cricket score (a total of 13 saves in the match). He has shown his talent and agility in many games, and has now had surgery to get himself fit for next season - but who his club will be at the start of next 2025-26 is up for debate. Fans expect a summer sale of the young Dane and he would be worthy of any Premier League number one shirt.

Bilal El Khannouss

Possibly the only true highlight of the outfield players this season. The 20-year-old didn't come cheap at £21m but has shown fans some glimmer of hope with his ability on the ball, defensive tenacity and the odd wonderstrike. It has been a pleasure to watch him develop and, although his stats this season aren't spectacular (two goals, three assists), the potential is there and we just hope he stays this summer as the Championship would be all the better with him in it next year. He is such an exciting prospect.

Wilfred Ndidi

His lengthy injury mid-season coincided with Leicester's goal drought and many would argue this is no coincidence as we are a different outfit, especially defensively, when he doesn't feature. His stats do back that up, ranking highly in the squad for tackles, interceptions and blocks. By his own ittance, playing higher up the pitch has transformed his game, in good ways and bad, but his assured place in the starting XI is unmatched by any other midfielder in the squad.

Pick your 2024-25 Leicester player of the season from our shortlist here

And tell us why you're picking who you are, or why you'd have gone for another player not on the list, here

Find more from Kate Blakemore at Leicester Till I Die, external

Kate Blakemore
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Sunday's match was a full celebration of Leicester's greatest ever player; the GOAT. The final Vardy Party.

While the match itself was a dead rubber - save for a valuable place up the Premier League table - it still provided a lot of anticipation among us fans as to whether the Leicester City hero could end his career with the perfect tally of 200 goals in 500 games. He wasn't going to leave it at 199, was he?!

As with his 'it's 11, it's heaven' goal from the title-winning season, you just felt that Vardy's sheer will and determination, coupled with the setting at King Power Stadium, 13 years to the day that he signed, would see the stars align.

They say things happen for a reason and there's a catalogue of timely events that create the perfect moment. The slip from Jack Clarke in the centre circle saw James Justin seize possession and embark on a 30-yard run, with one thing on his mind; to deliver the killer to Vardy, as he accelerated diagonally across the box, and caressed the ball through legs of Dara O'Shea, and over the goalline.

Elation. Joy. Euphoria. All, of course, 'shared' with the away fans. Holding the corner flag aloft, victorious in his pursuit. What an iconic moment.

It has been such a rarity and privilege to witness someone as thoroughly talented, selfless, motivated, humble, fierce, intimidating and pure box office as Vardy.

He never forgets that football is for entertainment and he has been the lead character of our show for 13 years. His accolades speak for themselves and it is this complete repertoire of the man that fully justifies the term "legend".

We are all the poorer without such characters in the game and all the richer for seeing this man make the impossible, possible.

Jamie Vardy has left the building.

Leicester City Football Club... completed it, mate.

Find more from Kate Blakemore at Leicester Till I Die, external

Leicester City are poised to sack manager Ruud van Nistelrooy and are in advanced talks to appoint former Southampton boss Russell Martin. (Football Insider), external

Want more news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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On Leicester City's referral to an independent commission after being charged with an alleged breach of the EFL's financial rules, football finance expert Kieran Maguire said: "It does look as if the Premier League will now pursue a commission for an alleged PSR breach for the three years ended 30 June 2024.

"The EFL could, separately, pursue a similar case against Leicester for the three years ended 30 June 2025 should Leicester's financial results end up exceeding the EFL PSR limit, which will be £83m over that period.

"Leicester and Bournemouth have previously been found guilty of breaches of EFL PSR rules after they were promoted to the Premier League, and in both cases were given fines.

"Had Leicester accepted a points deduction at the start of the season in relation to historic breaches it would not have made much difference to their relegation battle, although they would have potentially finished 19th instead of 18th and received £3m less prize money from the Premier League.

"While the Premier League and EFL are in dispute over financial distribution, their willingness to co-operate more in of the rules and regulations relating to promoted and relegated clubs will make it more difficult for Leicester to avoid charges by either organisation."

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

There are various reasons why Leicester have lost so much money in previous years, which still leaves them vulnerable now given the three-year assessment period.

They lost nearly £90m in 2022-23 as the club fell from eighth to 18th, resulting in relegation, but it was also a reduction of about £30-35m in prize money given finishing positions in the Premier League table are worth about £3m.

They budgeted for a higher finish, budgets which chief executive Susan Whelan said were "entirely reasonable" given previous top-five finishes.

A lack of European football was another factor, with the club qualifying for the Europa League and going on to reach the Europa Conference League semi-final in 2022.

Significant changes in the management have also been costly with the departure of Brendan Rodgers, along with his backroom staff, in 2023 expensive.

Leicester have handed out big contracts to players and have therefore been unable to move some on and, despite managing to make a £74.8m profit in player sales in 2022-23, they still lost a huge amount.

The knock-on effect is still restricting them, with current manager Ruud van Nistelrooy only able to spend around £3m on defender Woyo Coulibaly in January, leaving the Foxes short on the quality needed for a relegation fight.

Mandeep Sanghera
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester won an appeal in September 2024 against an alleged breach of Premier League PSR rules for the 2022-23 season.

An independent found the Premier League did not have the jurisdiction to punish the Foxes as the club had been relegated to the Championship when their ing period ended on 30 June 2023.

The Premier League said at the time it was "surprised and disappointed" by the 's decision, while Leicester said the club had "simply sought to ensure that the rules are applied based on how they are actually written".

The Premier League then tightened its rules, external, external in April so that clubs were still bound by its rules even if they were relegated.

"The alleged breach relates to the assessment period concluding at the end of the 2023/24 season, when the club was a member of the EFL Championship," said a Premier League statement on Tuesday.

"The tribunal confirmed that the Premier League has the power to investigate an alleged breach of the P&S Rules [PSR] because the EFL validly transferred responsibility for its investigation to the Premier League in June 2024, when the club was promoted from the Championship.

"The Premier League continues to have jurisdiction even though Leicester City will be relegated to the Championship at the end of this season."

Monday Night Club pundit Rory Smith believes a move to newly-promoted Leeds United would make sense for Jamie Vardy.

Vardy, who will leave Leicester City at the end of the season, told Sky Sports he has no intention of retiring and believes he can continue to deliver in the Premier League.

Speaking on who Vardy might be suitable for on BBC Radio 5 Live, Smith said: "I think he actually makes a lot of sense for Leeds if he can overcome his inherent Sheffield Wednesday fan status.

"The experience, there aren't that many proven goal scorers available. Leeds have plenty of goals in the team but they don't have a focal point.

"There's questions about whether Joel Piroe can make the step up. I think there's a logic to Leeds."

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Former Leicester City winger Matt Piper has itted he will sorely miss commentating on Jamie Vardy.

The forward made his last appearance for the club against Ipswich Town and scored his 200th goal in a 2-0 win. Earlier this season, Vardy announced that he would be leaving the club at the end of the campaign.

"It's felt like a brilliant day," Piper told BBC Radio Leicester. "I know we have been relegated this season, and it has been a desperately poor season.

"But the GOAT - Jamie Vardy - getting to 200 goals in the way and the manner he did it, the player he has been for this club, you have to forget about the relegation for just a day and think about Jamie Vardy.

"The incredible player he has been for this football club for the past 13 years - 500 appearances, 200 goals, Premier League, an FA Cup, Community Shield, going deep into the Champions League. He's been a colossal player over the years, the greatest to ever do it in a Leicester T-shirt and he will be missed.

"He will certainly be missed by me - said it many times, he's been my favourite player to commentate on over the years. As we sort of head into an era where not that many characters are left in top-flight football, he's definitely one of them.

"I am going to miss sitting behind him in a stadium like the Emirates, nails a Red Bull can in 10 seconds and goes on to win the game."

Listen on BBC Sounds

Tom Gayle
BBC Match of the Day commentator at King Power Stadium

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Jamie Vardy's 'Last Dance' for Leicester City was planned meticulously.

From the flags bearing his name provided for the home fans, the "Goodbye to the Goat" messaging which was emblazoned across the matchday programme, as well as the stadium big screen, to all the VIPs in attendance, which included the manager who signed him, Nigel Pearson, a number of his former team-mates, plus Vardy's family and friends.

Having received an abundance of additional information on email and WhatsApp prior to kick-off, I can't have been the only one thinking this will be proper awkward if he doesn't score!

This shaped my questioning to Ruud van Nistelrooy pre-match when I asked if there was any danger of sentiment getting in the way of his players decision-making when attacking. His robust response clearly indicated this had been a discussion point during the week, but Van Nistelrooy was clear in explaining how it was Vardy himself who led the dialogue of their focus being on the team rather than any individual, and winning was the most important objective.

His 200th club goal, which is set to be replayed for years to come, was classic Jamie Vardy.

As soon as the counter was on, he held the high line to force the Ipswich defence into retreat, which created room for James Justin to drive into. Vardy then made the run to find just enough space so when the ball did arrive at his feet, he was able to deliver the type of 18-yard box finish which has become so synonymous throughout his goalscoring career. Topped off with a customary celebration in front of the away ers, it was a full house when it comes to a Jamie Vardy goal bingo checklist.

It was a surprise to all media in attendance to discover Vardy's only post-match interview would be conducted by the club, as the squad carried out their lap of appreciation. However, in addition to his goals, given his time at Leicester was largely fuelled by homemade Skittles and vodka, and cutting on and off the field banter, which even his own team-mates and their 'Danish friends' couldn't escape, I respect how he was determined to go out on his own .

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Leicester's Premier League match against Ipswich.

Here are some of your comments:

Jon: So wonderful that Jamie scored in his final game for Leicester. What a magnificent career; a fairytale of epic proportions. A true 'Roy of the Rovers' of the 21st century! We will all miss you so much. Thank you for 13 wonderful years.

David: Written in the stars to finish their season this way. If Ipswich had a Vardy they would have won. Leicester have been very poor on the eyes most of the season, but I cannot complain about their recent achievements which we all never thought would happen.

Steve: If only Leicester had played like this earlier in the season! Vardy deserved his swansong and there can be no better servant for a football club. Jeremy Monga looked impressive for the short time he was on and I'm so glad that Kasey McAteer got his first Premier League goal.

Dave: Well done Vards, difficult season but you have done us well.

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Few could have envisaged the impact Jamie Vardy would make at the King Power Stadium, especially after five goals in his first season in the Championship.

"He was always joking and always full throttle in everything he did," said former team-mate Mark Schwarzer.

"Nobody saw what Leicester was going to do [winning the league in 2016]. When he first signed, apparently when he turned up he was terrible at training.

"His touch was horrendous, it was all over the place, and they all thought 'what have we just signed">