Content Advisory: We understand that topics discussed in this article may be sensitive for some readers, and strongly advise that those who may be affected by recent issues around former Leicester City manager Willie Kirk, do not read further.

Leicester City’s 2023/24 season was, to say the very least, challenging. Like last year, the Foxes finished 10th in the Barclays Women’s Super League, but they did manage to secure two more points than they did in their previous campaign.

Leicester City’s performance in the FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup was disappointing, with the team failing to make it beyond the group stage having been unable to compete with a tough draw of opponents including title chasers Manchester City. Their Adobe Women’s FA Cup run, however, was a different story entirely. Impressively, the Foxes made it to the semi-final of the competition before falling to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Robert Vilahamn’s Tottenham Hotspur.

There were signs of strength early this season, as Leicester City’s opening games against Everton and Liverpool saw them walk away victorious. The Foxes also demonstrated their capability of competing with the top teams, drawing 1-1 against Manchester United in what was only their second league fixture. They would be found taking a 2-0 lead in the first half of their home fixture against Arsenal in November, however Jonas Eidevall’s side would return from the break with vengeance, and inflict a six-goal fiasco upon their hosts.

Fostering a strong mentality amid trying times

Having dropped more points than they had hoped, an already rocky season would only become more difficult for the Foxes in March. It is important not to neglect discussion of the off-field challenges the club faced in light of an abuse of power by one prominent individual.

It was announced that there would be an investigation into Leicester City’s then-manager, Willie Kirk. This was due to an alleged relationship between the former head coach and one of his players. In light of the investigation, the then-manager was suspended, and in April, he was subsequently sacked.

There is no doubt that a clear stance should be taken across the board regarding this matter. Incidents like this one should be prevented and firmly advocated against. The Halfway Line condemns any actions that may threaten the health and wellbeing of members inside and around women’s football.

Jennifer Foster would become the team’s interim manager during this troublesome period, with concerns over player welfare widely discussed across the women’s game. Stepping up from being the team’s assistant manager, she would earn the group a 2-0 Adobe Women’s FA Cup quarter-final win over Liverpool during her first fixture in charge, before things went south once more.

“I have had a huge amount of pride leading this team for the last couple of months,” shared the interim manager ahead of Leicester City’s final game of the season, which ended in a 4-0 loss to Matt Beard’s Liverpool outfit.

“It hasn’t been without its challenges but I think we’ve been really unfortunate with some of the results, and the really pleasing thing for me is that we’ve had the performances.”

Foster will resume her role as assistant manager after the club appoints a new head coach ahead of the upcoming season. Looking hopefully toward the 2024/25 campaign, Foster has expressed her desire to use the season just gone as a starting point for improvement, having taken the adversity the players have faced in their stride.

Injury crisis at the crux of the season

Leaving the club particularly stretched for options upfront, March was also a tough month due to a number of injuries in the squad. Shannon O’Brien, who has been especially unlucky with injuries throughout her career, was ruled out with an ankle injury, made even more frustrating given the good form of the England Under 23s player.

Remy Siemsen and Hannah Cain were both out with long-term issues, and Missy Goodwin had an ankle injury of her own. The Foxes also found themselves without Deanne Rose, as Canada made it to the CONCACAF Gold Cup semi-final.

The absence of these players would see Leicester City fall to a 4-0 loss against Chelsea at the King Power Stadium, a confidence knock and a blow by one of the strongest opponents they would face.

A ticket to Wembley omitted

Despite taking an early lead through Jutta Rantala in the 12th minute, Leicester City were unable to regain control after the Spurs equalised towards the end of normal time. Following an extra time battle, a late Martha Thomas goal saw Leicester time in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup come to an end.

The Foxes had done well to reach the semi-final of the contest for the first time in their history, beating the likes of Liverpool and Everton to almost get to the very end. But, the eventual loss saw interim manager Jennifer Foster’s hopes of leading her side to Wembley glory fade fast.

The heartbreak of the cup exit would soon be turned into motivation for the acting boss, who said following the defeat that “I think we need to look at it as learning. We’ve got a lot of experience in our team in terms of internationals, but, a lot of them probably haven’t played in an FA Cup semi-final before. There’s lessons to be learnt, and there’s opportunities to take, and we’ll just make sure that we’re ready next time.”

Rantala running the show

Formerly of the Damallsvenskan’s Vittsjö GIK, Jutta Rantala made the move to Leicester last summer. The Finland international was a key signing for the club, and has been a master of the midfield for the Foxes this season.

A versatile player and an undeniable talent in attack, the 24-year-old has been Leicester City’s top goalscorer, accumulating six league goals and five assists for her new side. Rantala has been a magnificent addition to the club, playing a paramount part in their process.

Whilst the progress as Leicester City struggled to build upon the foundations of the 2022/23 season is not as clear cut as they would have hoped, the onboarding of a player of Rantala’s quality provides a promising picture of the calibre of football the Foxes hope to play going forward, as they search for ways to climb the table at the next opportunity.

Regardless of finishing tenth, the same league position as their last campaign concluded, the Foxes can approach the new season with justifiable hope, and ambition for more. The 2022/23 season saw Leicester City battling relegation, finishing just five points clear of Reading, the team to go down to the Barclays Women’s Championship. This time, they were 12 points above relegated Bristol City, and only one point behind ninth-place Brighton and Hove Albion.