On last week’s episode of the Rugby Pod, Andy Goode and Jim Hamilton made the comparison between Leicester Tigers and Manchester United. They were alluding to the recent fall from grace of both former champions of England. However, this is, without doubt, the wrong comparison to make.
On the face of it, the comparison fits. Both clubs last won the league in 2012-13. Since then they have suffered a relative demise which has seen them fall down their respective leagues. In response, after a range of different head coaches, they have turned to former players Geordie Murphy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer respectively. In the hope that their youth, determination and passion for the club will be enough to lift the club out of the mire. However, this is a gross underestimation of Tigers’ situation.
Embed from Getty Images
Tigers’ League Struggles
Leicester Tigers find themselves in a far worse situation than Manchester United have been for decades. Manchester United haven’t finished below 7th in the league since the 1989-90 season and currently sit 5th in the league (although, granted they have come into form since Goode and Hamilton’s statements).
At the end of the 2017-18 season, Leicester Tigers finished outside of the top four of the Premiership for the first time in their history. Since then the club has fallen further, finishing second from bottom in the 2018-19 season. This season, they may as well be bottom, only sitting above in form Saracens who have suffered a 35 point deduction. They are favourites to be relegated, at 3/1.
Financial Situation
Manchester United are the third richest football club in the world. For the 2017-18 season, their revenue was calculated at £590 million. The owners, the Glazer family, are valued at around £3.7 billion. This means that financially Manchester United have been able to use their muscle to remain near the top of the Premier League. Whether through buying new players or attracting the most sought after managers.
Leicester Tigers do not have this luxury. The Premiership salary cap is highly restrictive. Clubs cannot exceed £7m of combined annual player salaries, with the exception of two marquee players whose salaries are allowed to be excluded from the rule. Even if they could afford to bring in a big-name signing to save their season, there is no January transfer window!
Tigers hampered by no ‘International Break’
Tigers are also greatly hampered by the overwhelming amount of England players within their squad. There is no football style international break in rugby.
Therefore, the impact of the Rugby World Cup and the Six Nations will be huge. During the Six Nations, Tigers will be short for a period of about 10 weeks. Other clubs at the bottom of the Premiership table will most likely retain their best talent during this period, leaving Tigers especially exposed during this period.
Uncertainty surrounds Leicester Tigers
This season all manner of rumours have circulated around Tigers. A multitude of key players’ contracts are running down, including Ellis Genge, Ben Youngs, George Ford, Manu Tuilagi and Jonny May.
?
Ellis Genge got straight to the point in a post-match chat with LTTV after the loss to Northampton Saints. pic.twitter.com/g1iAlgrEcj
— Leicester Tigers (@LeicesterTigers) November 30, 2019
Furthermore, there have also been rumours of coaches leaving. Forwards coach Mark Batewell left this week and has been temporarily replaced by Brett Deacon. Steve Borthwick will take permanent charge after the Six Nations. This has all created quite a stir and can only be disruptive amongst the squad.
The players from United’s last title win have almost all moved on and United seem to have entered a rebuilding phase. Rumours surrounding Solskjaer’s job seem to have faded into the background. There seems to have been a positive change at Old Trafford by comparison with Leicester Tigers.
Is there a better football comparison?
Perhaps a better comparison might be Aston Villa. Like Tigers, Villa has a rich history. They won the European Cup in the eighties and have won the English first division 7 times. They also currently sit one spot above the relegation zone.
Another obvious comparison is Arsenal, who are also in a rut. Another club with a former player in charge. There is uncertainty over a number of players, particularly Mesut Özil and Granit Xhaka. They languish at ninth in the table, a long distance from their former glories.
Leicester Tigers in terrible state
Ultimately, Tigers find themselves in a terrible state. The complications of club rugby in England mean that it will be incredibly difficult to recover. For this reason, their troubles are incomparable, and sadly, relegation is a realistic possibility for Leicester.
“Main Photo Credits”
Embed from Getty Images
