Jamie Vardy slammed over X-rated Leicester claim after ‘agitating teammates internally’
Leicester City’s outspoken captain Jamie Vardy released a statement on Monday (21 April) after the club’s relegation was confirmed.
Taking to X, the striker insisted he and is teammates have “failed” but maintained there is “no hiding” – branding the season a “total embarrassment”.
The 38-year-old apologised to the Leicester fans for the “s**t show” in the 2024-25 campaign – with Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side relegated after picking up 18 points from 33 games.
Vardy has now been with the Foxes since 2012 and has won the Premier League and FA Cup at the King Power Stadium.
But Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – insisted he is “disappointed” with the legendary striker’s statement.
Vardy trying to ‘keep his reputation’ with Leicester message, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness claimed Vardy’s comments are “not constructive” and accused him of trying to “align with fans and keep his reputation”.
As things stand, Vardy is out of contract at Leicester at the end of this season but could renew and help the Foxes gain another promotion next season.
Wyness insisted the veteran is finished in the Premier League.
| Appearances (Starts) | 32 (32) |
| Minutes Played | 2554 |
| Goals | 8 |
| Assists | 3 |
| Yellow Cards | 5 |
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “If I was chief executive at Leicester, I’d have been a bit disappointed.
“Why wasn’t he saying this earlier? Has he been saying this internally?
“He’s got to be agitating the players internally before this point to get them moving forward.
“I think he could’ve kept his own counsel in this case and not said anything at all.
“I don’t think he’s added anything, other than trying to portray himself as understanding the fans’ anger.
“He hasn’t helped anything, so it’s not that constructive. I don’t see the point, other than Jamie trying to align with the fans and keep his reputation.
“He’s older now and that’s probably his swansong in the Premier League. Would he go somewhere like Saudi Arabia? Potentially.
“I just don’t think he’s helped Leicester here. Everyone knows the club’s in a bad situation, but piling venom on hasn’t helped anyone.
“Thanks, but no thanks.”
Van Nistelrooy sack latest from Leicester
Meanwhile, Football Insider has revealed (22 April) that Van Nistelrooy is highly unlikely to lead Leicester in the Championship next season.
The 48-year-old confirmed showdown talks with King Power Stadium chiefs in the aftermath of the defeat against Liverpool at the weekend.
He has won just two of his 20 Premier League games in charge at Leicester, drawing a further two games.
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