Leicester City's Remarkable Revival: A Thrilling Women's Super League Season Ahead with New Stars and Unbridled Ambition

Leicester is entering the upcoming WSL season infused with a fresh sense of energy. Their initial two seasons in the prestigious English league were marked by insecurity, featuring frequent managerial changes and struggles against relegation.

However, this summer, the club radiates optimism. A string of positive performances following the winter hiatus ensured their WSL position on the last day of the season. If it were up to the Foxes, they would have continued their remarkable momentum.

Leicester had a remarkable turnaround under the guidance of experienced WSL manager Willie Kirk. They managed to win five and draw one out of their last 13 WSL games, after not winning any prior to that. This achievement, which had never been seen in the league before, allowed them to overcome a seven-point deficit and complete an extraordinary escape.

"We ended the season on a high note, successfully overcoming a seven-point deficit, which was truly remarkable. Leicester forward Hannah Cain shared with We, 'We defied all expectations and obstacles.'

"The final five months of the season felt like a new beginning for us, so when it abruptly ended, we were determined to persevere. Personally, I had only recently returned to playing in January, so I was eager and fully prepared to continue the journey."

"It's been a tough few seasons, finding our feet and we're a new team in the WSL. It's hard coming into the league, it's arguably the best league in the world."

Why January uptick was no coincidence

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Willie Kirk took charge as the manager of Leicester in November 2022, successfully guiding the club to maintain their position in the Women's Super League (WSL). The team's remarkable performance during the last four months of the 2022/23 season left a lasting impression, especially considering that many had doubted their capabilities before the end of 2022. The significant improvement in their form was certainly not a mere coincidence.

Kirk transitioned from director of football to first team manager in November 2022, following Lydia Bedford's inability to secure any points in the first six games of the season. Despite overseeing three additional losses in the league, leaving Leicester at the bottom of the WSL with no points by Christmas, the six-week hiatus allowed Kirk and his team to reset and start afresh.

Looking back on last season, Kirk told We News: "Last year was a huge learning curve for everyone, myself included.

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Ava Baker scored the winning goal for Leicester on the final day of the WSL season to secure the Foxes' place in the WSL

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Starting well in the WSL is crucial as it can be challenging to break free from a slump if you don't. The league's unforgiving nature demands confidence to succeed.

Interestingly, there existed a peculiar mix of pressure and no pressure. While we felt compelled to perform to secure our spot in the league, external voices considered Leicester's relegation as a done deal.

Externally, there was no pressure; however, internally, we were determined to remain in the league and achieve our long-term aspirations. If we were not in the league, these aspirations would not be realized. It was a satisfying challenge to defy expectations, but now our focus is on the pressure to enhance ourselves this year.

As a club, we have a clear vision for the next three to five years, with a strong emphasis on continuous progress.

We are eagerly anticipating the start of the season and our focus will be on accumulating points swiftly to gauge our potential. However, our ultimate goal is to avoid the threat of relegation, and I firmly believe that the caliber of our assembled squad provides us with the necessary capabilities to achieve this.

How January arrivals galvanised the Foxes

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Janina Leitzig excelled for Leicester during her loan spell in the second half of last season

Kirk significantly strengthened his squad during the January transfer window, making astute signings that had a profound impact. These included Courtney Nevin and Remy Siemsen, who brought valuable international experience, as well as Ruby Mace, a talented midfielder from England's youth team, who arrived on loan from Manchester City.

However, the standout acquisition - the player who ultimately rescued Leicester from relegation - was Janina Leitzig, the goalkeeper. Initially borrowed from Bayern Munich, the 24-year-old officially became a permanent member of the club earlier this summer.

As was true eight months ago, it could prove to be their most vital bit of business.

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Leitzig made a strong debut for Leicester, achieving a clean sheet against Brighton. In the following four games, she continued her impressive performance by keeping clean sheets in a victory against Liverpool and a goalless draw against Everton. Despite a 2-0 loss, her showing against Manchester City was highly praised.

Despite only playing for half a season, Leitzig ended with impressive statistics in the WSL. She recorded the second highest number of saves (66) and shots saved inside the box (48), and also led in crosses caught (18).

Leitzig expressed her satisfaction with her Leicester journey, stating, "I found great pleasure in the latter half of the previous season. Their relentless determination persuaded me to remain, and I thoroughly enjoyed my experience.

"We possess a remarkable team and top-notch resources, with immense potential within the club. My belief in this journey is what motivated my decision to stay."

Taking on a great deal of responsibility and projecting a confident presence on the field are vital aspects of being a goalkeeper. In the previous season, these factors significantly influenced my performance, as I was fortunate to have an exceptional team, supportive staff, and a club that has unwavering faith in my abilities. Moving forward, these elements will continue to be instrumental in shaping the success of the upcoming season.

Moving in January was a spur-of-the-moment decision for me, and for the following six months, it felt like a place I could call home. However, I lacked my own place to stay and was unsure about how long I would be staying.

But now, things have changed, and I finally have my own accommodation. With this settled, I can focus on the future and what lies ahead. I have high expectations for the team, especially considering the numerous new additions. We are all incredibly enthusiastic to kick-start our journey together.

A busy summer for Leicester reset 2.0

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Deanne Rose signed for Leicester this summer

It is now time for Leicester's reset 2.0, as Kirk takes advantage of a four and a half month summer break to further shape his team for the upcoming challenging WSL season. The reset started with the departure of 12 players whose contracts ended, including midfield veteran Ashleigh Plumptre, who has now joined Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad.

But the incomings have been impressive, including Janice Cayman and Julie Thibaud alongside the permanent signings of Leitzig and Nevin.

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Leicester, with only 15 league goals in the previous season, sought to bolster their attacking options and turned to Deanne Rose from Reading. Despite her lack of impact at Reading, where she managed only four goals in the 2021/22 season, a ruptured Achilles in the first WSL match of the last campaign forced her to be sidelined for several months.

After representing Canada in the recently concluded Women's World Cup, Rose is eager to begin afresh at Leicester. In an interview with We News, she expressed her excitement about getting back on the football field, considering it as a precious opportunity.

Leicester's ambition as a club has been evident in recent years. Their efforts to grow and invest align with my own aspirations as a player, making it a perfect fit for me.

The team is beginning to form a cohesive unit, with certain players showcasing impressive quality during pre-season games. As we approach the final few weeks of the season, their contributions will be crucial.

Kirk also disclosed his previous attempt to sign Rose during his tenure as manager at Everton, emphasizing the exceptional attributes that make the 24-year-old striker highly coveted. He further elaborated, stating, "During my time at Everton, I closely observed her performances and had expressed interest in bringing her onboard. However, due to the composition of our squad at that time, the acquisition did not materialize as it was not a critical signing for us. Nevertheless, she is an indispensable addition for Leicester."

She is a game-changer. Her speed and versatility make her capable of winning games for you from either side of the pitch. She can excel in various positions, including playing through the middle. With her goal-scoring ability and talent for creating chances, she possesses numerous valuable attributes.

Furthermore, I have thoroughly researched her character and received glowing reviews. I personally talked to her national team manager, Bev Priestman, who confirmed that she meets all the criteria I was looking for. I am thrilled and eager to collaborate with her.

Leicester players ambitious ahead of the new season

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CJ Bott says she wants to change the name of Leicester in the WSL

Leicester is entering the new season with an accomplished manager and a skilled and determined squad that is eager for success beyond mere relegation fights.

Speaking about the upcoming campaign, Kirk expressed, "We have made significant additions to our team. With a number of fresh faces, it is our responsibility to provide them with guidance on our style of play and help them integrate smoothly."

"Hopefully, the players will echo the fact that we have made sincere efforts to make them feel at home as soon as possible, take care of them, and prioritize their well-being as individuals rather than just as footballers."

Although Kirk didn't disclose his prediction for Leicester's final position this season, CJ Bott, the left-back for Leicester, showcased the team's aspirations by stating, "We have made some fantastic signings. Our club has brought in exceptional individuals and players, and we have truly formed a strong bond as a team."

"We are a group of individuals who share the same mindset, all determined to achieve one goal: securing a top-six position and establishing our presence in the league. Additionally, we are passionate about reshaping the reputation of Leicester in the WSL. We cannot wait to kick-start our journey."

The Foxes will kick off the 2023/24 season against Bristol City, who have recently made Ashton Gate their permanent home. It is worth noting that only the Robins and Leicester have the privilege of playing in their respective men's team stadiums. Cain further commented, "This just goes to show the direction in which the game is progressing."

A few years ago, female teams wouldn't have had the chance to play at a male venue. However, to us, it's simply our home ground. Even after joining the league, we continued to play most of our games there.

Now, playing at such a venue has become our norm, and we aspire to inspire other clubs to adopt the same approach. This would undoubtedly be a wonderful accomplishment.

How to follow the WSL on Sky Sports

You can watch free match highlights from every WSL game this season on our We' digital platforms and YouTube channel. All matches will also be shown on both We Football and Sky Showcase, accessible in all Sky homes, even without a We package. This will provide the competition with greater visibility. Additionally, the league will have extensive coverage and visibility across all our main social media channels. The dedicated Twitter channel @SkySportsWSL will remain the primary source for all Barclays FA WSL content on We.

The We WSL TikTok account offers comprehensive coverage of the league, providing fans with exclusive access to their new favorite players. Through entertaining challenges, interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage, viewers will be introduced to the diverse personalities of the WSL and gain a fresh perspective on the sport.

Additionally, fans can stay informed about all the on-field and off-field happenings with the revival of Three Players and a Podcast, presented by Caroline Barker.