Leicester City

Leicester City boss Ruud van Nistelrooy has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Southampton (kick-off 15:00).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On players who will be missing: "We are a lot thinner than before. Mads Hermansen had an operation, Jakub Stolarczyk will be in for the rest of the season. Ricardo Pereira came off with a muscle injury - he will be out for a couple of weeks but it's possible he will play again this season. Bobby De Cordova-Reid had a muscle injury, won't expect him to play again this season. Facundo Buonanotte had a concussion, he will miss Saturday but we will see about next week. Stephy Mavididi we don't expect to play again this season."

• On Stolarczyk's opportunity with Hermansen injured: "He proved in the games that he played that he developed into a Premier League keeper. It's a great opportunity for him [and] another homegrown player."

• On his future at the club: "No, still hoping to find out. Of course, the quicker the better, it's in the best interest of the club. But no news so far."

• On the difficulty of all eyes currently being on his future: "We're all hoping to find out soon. There's 70 people in the training ground who want to evaluate this season, look forward to the next. But we're also aware of our jobs, we are responsible to do our jobs as best as possible and prepare for Saturday. That's the focus we have within the bigger picture."

• On conversations within the club on his future: "I've said many times before I've been proactive in conversations in February, March and April with the board and chairman. They know where I stand and I'm looking for alignment. Moving forward you have to be aligned. That intention is there 100%."

• On the importance of the game against Southampton despite both sides being relegated: "We've been addressing it for a couple weeks now that we want the season to end as positively as possible within the situation of relegation. It's preparation for next season, so it's an interesting fixture."

• On what to expect against Southampton: "Performances like Liverpool and Brighton show the intensity, aggressiveness and willingness to play. The extra motivation is to give the best farewell to Jamie Vardy. He deserves that and the players will show that on Saturday."

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

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Former Leicester City winger Matt Piper believes the club's hierarchy are "struggling" to make a decision on Ruud van Nistelrooy, after the Dutchman revealed he is "still waiting" to have talks about his managerial future at King Power Stadium.

Speaking on the When You're Smiling podcast, Piper says he expected the club to have already initiated talks but doesn't think they should be "in any rush" to sack him before other important decisions have been made.

"What's probably going on is that people are pointing fingers at the hierarchy of the club and the club feel they cannot afford to get another big decision wrong," he explained. "They are probably panicking.

"I can't imagine Ruud being here next year. It's not that it just won't look good, it's that he has failed miserably.

"I don't think the club are leaning one way or another. I really think they are struggling with it because they cannot afford to get another decision wrong.

"This is why 'Top' needs to really look at his position first and think about whether this is still what he wants to do. Then the club can look at making changes or bringing in more at boardroom level because things have been going drastically wrong for a while now.

"These are decisions that need to be in place first, then they can make a decision on the manager.

"I don't think they should be in any rush to sack Ruud. This has been a disastrous season so it isn't going to make much of a difference now if you leave him in post and give yourselves some thinking time over the summer.

"It is one big struggle at the football club at the minute. It's not just the guys on the pitch that are letting things down at Leicester at the minute, it's all the way through the club."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Chris Forryan
Fan writer

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Dear Top,

Let met start by saying as a fan I am, and always will be grateful for what King Power, your late father, you and your family have done for my football club. You have allowed me to fulfil dreams that I never thought as a Leicester City fan I ever would.

Every business, though, has its peaks and troughs, and as a 64-year-old fan, believe you me, I have seen plenty of troughs. But it is how troughs are dealt with that businesses are judged by, and these days football clubs are businesses.

However, I have to say most businesses do not hold onto staff once that business starts to fail, no matter how successful they may have been in the past. Top, you really need to take charge and make changes or you risk ruining your family's legacy at the club.

Yes, you cleared a lot of debt for our club, but this is debt that was accrued under King Power ownership. A tally of 11 managers in 15 years of ownership speaks volumes.

There has been your chasing of Graham Potter, followed by what seemed a rushed appointment of Steve Cooper, the early sacking of Cooper - an appointment you publicly criticised - and the failure to act in sticking by Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has to be the worst manager in the clubs history.

How are Susan Whelan, John Rudkin, Martyn Glover et al still at the club? Yes they have helped you through some dark times but as a group of managers it appears you don't know what you're doing.

I am sorry Top, but a free bottle of beer at the final home game this season will not cut it.

The fans are the lifeblood of any club, and our relationship is being destroyed.

Open up and talk to the fans. We have no idea what is going on. Tell us.

Find more from Chris Forryan at Leicester Till I Die, external

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Leicester midfielder Wilfred Ndidi is available for a £9m relegation release clause this summer.

The 28-year-old's clause was activated last weekend when the Foxes lost 1-0 to now-champions Liverpool and were relegated to the Championship with five games to go.

Leicester have since lost 3-0 away at Wolves and the Nigeria international is among several of the squad now considering his future.

The Midlands club feel well placed to revamp the squad with release clauses rare at the King Power Stadium and only three players out of contract - goalkeepers Daniel Iversen and Danny Ward, along with legendary striker Jamie Vardy, who has announced he will leave Leicester after 13 glorious years at the club.

Ndidi, meanwhile, had interest from clubs like Marseille and Everton while available on a free transfer last summer.

However, Leicester managed to sign Ndidi to a new three-year deal last summer. He was signed in 2017 in a £17m deal from Genk, but the pressure from interested parties likely led to the inclusion of a release clause as part of his most recent deal.

Ndidi has won an FA Cup and the Championship last season while at Leicester and has played 27 times in all competitions during this campaign.

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Former Leicester City striker Matty Fryatt believes it is "going to take a lot" to turn things around at the club, with Ruud van Nistelrooy's side suffering another heavy defeat against Wolves just six days after their relegation back to the Championship was confirmed.

"I've said there was a gulf in class before, but there were oceans in this game," Fryatt told the When You're Smiling podcast. "They looked miles off it in of fight, spirit and everything you would want.

"It's not like all of a sudden there's going to be a wake-up call and these players are going to start playing. If that was ever going to be the case, why haven't they done it up until this point?

"I wasn't expecting a massive change but I at least thought there would be a bit more fight and determination. It was a resignation in of relegation - everyone had seen it coming for weeks leading up to it."

Leicester took the Championship by storm in 2023-24 but have not been able to transfer the positivity from that campaign into a Premier League survival bid.

"It's going to take a lot to turn this around," Fryatt said. "The Championship shouldn't be feared but there should be things in place to make sure they have got a good foundation. They are a long way from where they once were, but they can get back to that by making important decisions.

"A lot of it will depend on things financially because, for example, sacking two managers in one financial year is a huge hit - but something needs to be done.

"I didn't see anything in this performance that made me think Ruud is the right person to lead this team. Forget his illustrious playing career - he is an unproven manager and he has never been down at the bottom.

"The team looks soulless. They are lacking identity, style and fight."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Wolves and Leicester City at Molineux.

Here are some of your replies:

Wolves fans

Sara: Wolves made Leicester look woeful. The fitness levels between the two teams were clear to see. There are happy people in Wolverhampton at last. Matheus Cunha was the standout - he just wants to please the fans! I hope he stays.

Steve: Cunha is going to be jumping off a ship sailing to much better times and ing the Titanic.

Cordelia: Thank you Vitor Pereira for coming to Wolves and giving our players the confidence to play and show off their skills. We always knew they were quality but now everyone can see it. Leicester fans - good luck next season.

Kieran: What a run. We need to buy Vitor lots of pints - what a turnaround! If we back this man in the summer, just think of what we could do.

Espirito: People are praising this team like they have beaten a team at the top of the table, but we have not. We should be beating teams like this to little fanfare and it just shows how far the club has fallen. We don't need nor want Cunha. Let another team deal with his attitude. The same goes for Jose Sa and Toti, otherwise we will be in this position again.

Leicester fans

Chris: We are 'using these games to prepare for next season' according to Ruud van Nistelrooy. So obviously picking loan player Facundo Buonanotte who definitely won't be with us next season and giving Jamie Vardy another 90 minutes when we know he is leaving makes perfect sense, right? The whole club is a joke. As for the performance, I don't think the players could have put less effort in if they tried. But not trying is a bit of a theme.

Nathan: Is this the worst and most unlikable Premier League team ever? Yes. A record-breakingly bad manager, a board that seems not to care, and players who seemingly cannot play the game. Can we just forfeit the remaining games because we will lose them all by at least three goals and will be unable to score?

Tom: One word: awful. From top to bottom, it's toxic. We need new owners, management, coaches and players. It is going to be a long few seasons with hard times and hard work to get the club stable at the least.

Christy: A club in all sorts of trouble. The manager appears to be clueless, the players nowhere near the standard required, the coaching staff do not seem to understand this standard and the people who run the club make far too many errors. They should really think about putting Leicester City up for sale.

Mark Chapman presents highlights and analysis from Saturday's five Premier League fixtures, which saw Ipswich Town's relegation from the top-flight confirmed.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentary from Newcastle United 3-0 Ipswich Town on BBC Sounds.

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Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day about the defeat: "I look at the performance and that wasn't good enough. I don't talk about it football-wise, but I talk about it in of intensity and duels. We had many easy ball losses in possession, especially in the first half.

"In the second half, yes we conceded two goals on the break but we were better in those areas. But today wasn't good enough."

On making a triple change at half-time: "At half-time, Facundo [Buonanotte] had to come off with concussion. Ricardo Pereira had to come off with an injury. Then before half-time, Bobby De-Cordova Reid had to come off as well. It is a shame and shows how tough this season has been, with [Stephy] Mavididi also getting injured. Now those two are injured and there's a concussion.

"We are fighting towards the end of the season."

On what he said to the players at half-time: "I had to address the things I shared with you, that it is not acceptable. How intense you press, how intense you make a duel and how easy the ball losses are that are going to create lots of transitions where you have to recover. Those things don't require talent.

"That was addressed and then we went into the second half where we had the penalty with Jamie [Vardy]. That was so unfortunate. I really wanted him to score to get us back into the game, but also for himself. That summed the game up.

"The Brighton and Liverpool games were positive, but today was not so it isn't consistent enough. Also, it is a matter of course to keep that motivation and focus going for the team.

"There is a lot to play for, like Jamie [Vardy]'s last games. ing our captain should be enough motivation to push out everything that is left.

"We look at the 17 teams above us and acknowledge that we weren't at that level. That is very clear - we have to accept it and move on."

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Leicester City have conceded first in 29 of their 34 Premier League games this season, the most by any side in a single 38-game campaign in the competition.

The Foxes have lost 24 Premier League games this season. Only in 1977-78 and 1994-95 have they ever lost more in a single league campaign in their history (both 25 games).

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Wolves' performance

What did you make of Leicester's display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Five matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Chelsea v Everton (12:30)

• Brighton v West Ham

• Newcastle v Ipswich - BBC Radio 5 Live commentary

• Southampton v Fulham

• Wolves v Leicester

All kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

How can you back against Wolves here? They are the Premier League's most in-form team based on the past five games, while it is an awfully long time since Leicester enjoyed a victory full-stop.

Pablo Sarabia's brilliant free-kick gave Wolves their win at Old Trafford last week, and I don't think that result surprised anyone.

There is talk about Matheus Cunha leaving them to Manchester United in the summer, but you would think he would set his sights a bit higher.

Leicester's relegation was confirmed by their defeat against Liverpool and, from top to bottom, the club is in a mess.

They are only playing for pride now, and I don't see them getting any points here.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Jamie Vardy is not on any Major League Soccer club's discovery list as attention turns to his next destination.

The former England striker will leave Leicester after 13 years when his contract expires at the end of the season, having scored 198 goals and won the Premier League with the Foxes.

But no club in the MLS currently has him on their discovery list, which gives them first refusal over a player should they want to .

Chicago Fire had Neymar on their list - and held talks with the Brazil international's camp before he made an emotional return to Santo in January - while Inter Miami have Kevin de Bruyne on theirs.

A club may have up to five players on their discovery list at any time and can add or remove players.

Vardy enjoys a good relationship with Charlotte FC boss Dean Smith, who he worked with at Leicester, and Smith tried to sign him last year. Charlotte are currently top of the Eastern Conference.

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Former Leicester City winger Mark Albrighton says his ex-team-mate Jamie Vardy, who this week announced that he will be departing the Foxes at the end of his season, is a hero.

"I wouldn't say it is a sad day but certainly one that a lot of fans will be struggling to come to with and that is fully understandable," he said on the Leicester City Football Forum podcast.

"You speak to fans, and get a picture of their last 10 years. Some of them started ing through the good times, and these are young kids, and Jamie Vardy is their hero.

"All of a sudden, they are going to come to games and he is not going to be there and that is going to be difficult to accept."

Albrighton, who was part of Leicester's Premier League title-winning side in 2016 alongside Vardy, says that given the striker's mentality, it is no surprise that he has opted to leave the club after they were relegated from the top tier this term.

"I spoke to him after the game against Liverpool at the weekend and he more or less told me his plans," he said.

"It wasn't a shock to me, but I think he felt the timing was right.

"He would have wanted to do it in better circumstances, and he felt the relationship there had run its course. It's now time for Jamie and Leicester to move on to new things.

"I look back at when I called it [time on my career] and I couldn't have had it any better.

"I look at this and yeah, it might just take the gloss off it in of the relegation, but I think there is enough time between now and the end of the season to appreciate what he did for the football club."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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Former Leicester chairman Jon Holmes has been reflecting on "extraordinary character" Jamie Vardy's career at the club after it was announced on Thursday the striker would be leaving at the end of the season.

Speaking on BBC Radio Leicester's Football Forum, Holmes said: "I've been watching since 1957, the hero then was Arthur Rowley. At the end of that season he unexpectedly left and Rowley is our second-highest scorer. We have now reached the situation where we have the third-highest scorer leaving the game and that is Jamie Vardy.

"He is truly a legend of the club. What he has done for Leicester in the last 13 years is extraordinary. The way he has conducted himself, he is a true hero. He is an extraordinary character who has brought so much joy to Leicester fans. Joy to me, I have to say.

"He is a player you watch and he makes you smile, makes you laugh, you can empathise with him and he shows all his emotions. Truly, he is player that not only looks like a player but he looks like one of the fans. When he plays, all his emotions come out.

"Vardy is an old-fashioned, working-class hero if you like.

"He is the kid form Sheffield, came to us and looked rough and ready. He looked like a player that had come from outside the league.

"The first season, I can watching him and, although there were bits there that were raw and he did score a few goals, he looked out of place. He didn't look like he was going to make the step up. Apparently he felt that himself at the end of that season.

"But, the first game of the next season, we played Middlesbrough away and he scored the winner in what became a signature goal for him. On the way back, I phoned Alan Birchenall and I said 'we have a new player'. That was the start."

Listen back to the full show on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your views on Foxes legend Jamie Vardy's decision to depart when Leicester's season ends.

Here are some of your comments:

Alex: You can use many words but the best one is legend. What Vardy has brought to Leicester is more than any other fanbase will realise, not just the goals but the ion, love for the club and helping us winning trophies. We've seen him grow from that non-league player to our greatest ever to wear the shirt. Do the right thing Leicester and build the statue of him outside the stadium.

Tom: One word. Legend. Best player we have had in my lifetime and I doubt there will be anyone who comes close. From the wonder goal against Liverpool to winning the league and going on a European tour - all would not have been possible without Vardy. I will miss him winding up away ers, particularly Spurs. Good luck Jamie, and please come back in a management role of some sort and fix this mess.

Philip: He has served the club brilliantly. I will him bullying Manchester United in 2014. I was sat in a Greek bar, six Man Utd fans and me - what a great game for him! Many great memories, but above all, his loyalty to the Foxes. My best wishes to a great wind up merchant!

Linda: He means the world to us! We go to every home and away game, and at the away games we are always asked the same thing: 'Is Vardy playing">