Despite only gaining promotion after Leeds United’s shock 4-0 defeat to Queens Park Rangers on Friday night, Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca has already made his plans for next season clear.
The Foxes are set for an immediate return to the Premier League, just a single season after being relegated to the second tier. Furthering that, they could well go up as champions if able to defeat Preston North End on Monday night and many fans will be believing that they’ll be back where they belong.
Despite being favourites for the Championship title this season, it hasn’t been all plain sailing for Maresca’s men. The last couple of months have seen the side have a slight wobble which in turn allowed both Leeds United and Ipswich Town back into the title fight.
However back-to-back wins have allowed them to further stamp their authority at the top of the table and despite their season not yet being over, Maresca is already thinking about the Premier League.
Given the club have won both the Premier League as well as the FA Cup in the last ten years, it comes as no surprise to see some Leicester supporters have extremely high expectations for next season. Despite always wanting to strive for higher, Maresca has emphasised that next season’s goal is all about keeping the club afloat in the top flight before building on that in the coming seasons.
Speaking to the Leicester Mercury, the Foxes boss would say:
“After one year in this club, if you ask me, I can give you my opinion. In the last history of this club, this club achieved important things. So the memory of the people is about winning the Premier League and winning the FA Cup.
“So now you are Championship, so the reality has been tough for the players, but also for the fans. In the moment, if we get promoted, people that still think about the Premier League or the FA Cup or the things this club achieved, it’s good to have in the memory but the reality is completely different.
“In case we get promoted, next year, the target is not the Premier League, the target is not the FA Cup. The target has to be to maintain, to avoid the relegation.
“So far after one year, too many people have still fresh in their mind the things this club achieved. I understand that to switch from that to the relegation is not easy. Probably it has been the most difficult thing.”
Writer’s View
It could well be a very strong top flight next season and the Foxes may have their work cut out for them. Nonetheless they do look as if they have a squad capable of fighting in the Premier League but need a good transfer window to further boost the depth of that.
It seems highly likely that they’ll go up as Champions this season and even if they were to not pick up a win on Monday night, could still be awarded the title if Ipswich Town slip up on Tuesday.
Maresca has kept a level head with his comments. Obviously the club will be wanting to challenge in the top half as they have previously, but a realistic approach is needed. If backed by the board this summer and throughout next season, Maresca could excel as a top flight manager.
