Jamie Vardy has issued an apology to Leicester City’s fans after the club’s relegation from the Premier League, describing the season as a “total embarrassment.” The 38-year-old striker expressed his anger and sadness at the team’s downfall, acknowledging that the club’s failure was collective and inexcusable. Leicester were relegated following a 1-0 defeat at home to Liverpool, which left them with five games to spare in the Premier League. That loss marked their ninth consecutive home defeat without scoring, a record that highlights the magnitude of the club’s struggles throughout the campaign.
In a heartfelt message posted on social media, Vardy admitted the season had been deeply disappointing and offered no excuses for the team’s poor performance. He emphasized that Leicester’s failures were not just the result of individual shortcomings but rather a collective inability to meet the club’s expectations. “There are no excuses,” Vardy stated. “Collectively, as players and as a club, we failed. There is simply no hiding, and I refuse to entertain any suggestion of doing so.”
Vardy’s frustration was clear as he expressed the pain of watching a club that had previously experienced significant success now face such a humiliating downfall. Reflecting on his long tenure at Leicester, which began in 2011 when he arrived from Fleetwood, Vardy acknowledged the contrast between this season and the club’s highs in recent years, including the remarkable Premier League title win in 2015-16 and the FA Cup victory in 2020-21. He described the current season as nothing short of “miserable” and an embarrassment on a personal level, adding that the fans, too, had every right to be disappointed.
“To the fans: I’m sorry,” Vardy wrote. “Sorry we haven’t performed, and sorry we end the 2025 season with such a s*** show.” His candid apology underscored the deep sense of regret felt by the striker, who has been one of the club’s most influential players over the years.
Vardy’s future at Leicester is now uncertain, as his contract expires at the end of the season. The veteran forward had signed a 12-month deal following the club’s promotion back to the Premier League last summer, but it remains unclear whether the club will offer him a new contract amid their relegation. The uncertainty surrounding Vardy’s future comes as the club prepares for life in the Championship, having been relegated for the second time in three seasons.
Leicester’s managerial situation is also under scrutiny, with Ruud van Nistelrooy’s position in serious doubt. The Dutchman, who replaced Steve Cooper in December, has struggled to turn the team’s fortunes around, winning just one league match in his 18-game tenure. His record of 16 losses in 18 matches has made it difficult for the club to recover, and the prospect of a managerial change is looming. Van Nistelrooy, under contract until 2027, is expected to have talks with the club’s hierarchy to determine the next steps for both him and the team.
Leicester’s relegation is a stark reminder of the challenges of maintaining Premier League status, especially after a period of success. With only four league wins all season and a paltry 18 points from 33 matches, the club now faces a long road to recovery in the Championship. The uncertainty surrounding both the managerial position and key players like Vardy adds to the sense of instability that Leicester will need to address if they are to return to the Premier League in the near future.
