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Women's Super League: Unrelegated Leicester City

Tuesday, August 18, 2026Amelia Ruiz
Women's Super League: Unrelegated Leicester City

Amidst those masa exits to Leicester City, Sam Tierney stood out and spearheaded the rebuilding of the club. Her experience, feeling for the club and the hope of a sustainable rebuild will give strength to the Rebel formation.

Women's Super League: Leicester City stay out of transfer

According to Bbc.

Background

Sam Tierney, aged 27, made 151 appearances for Leicester City. Her attachment to the club and her commitment to rebuilding will be instrumental in re-establishing Leicester City as a Women's Super League club.

Why this matters

Sam Tierney is the most important player for Leicester City, she will play a key role in the rebuilding of the club. With her new contract, her determination to provide the club with the boost and stability it needs to return to the Women's Super League is clear.

Highlights

  • Women's Super League: Leicester City stay out of transfer.
  • Amid those masa exits to Leicester City, Sam Tierney stands out and fronts the club's rebuilding.
  • Women's Super League: Leicester's Sam Tierney on not jumping ship - BBC Sport.

When Leicester City were relegated from the Women's Super League in May, it caused a mass exodus of players at the club. 14 players have left so far in the window, many of whom featured in the WSL playoff defeat to Charlton Athletic. Goalkeeper Janina Leitzig joined Manchester United, while talented attackers Hannah Kane, Nomi Mushon and Jutta Rantala joined Everton. After this situation it became clear that the club needed to be reoriented and strengthened — especially as they prepared to climb back into the second division.

But amid these big changes, Leicester's long-serving captain Sam Tierney has given fans a big boost. Her signing of a new contract in July, which runs until 2028, gave the club great hope. 27-year-old Sam has played 151 matches in his career with the «Foxes»; She was there even in difficult times and became close.

Tierney Beelow explains why she stayed: “I'm not the type to want to transfer,” she says. I built a real bond at Leicester. I want to succeed. "There is still a diversion facility, we are now in a position to rebuild." She noted that the club might get a bit of a "bad rap" but said the club is great because of the people here and the family feeling continues here.

Last season was one to forget for Leicester: their five-year run in the WSL ended. The women's team had just two wins in 22 matches and finished with a goal differential of -41 — a serious difficulty in scoring. This not only raised questions about whether the women's team would play at the King Power Stadium or whether the budget would be cut, but also cast doubt on the future.

Image

The fading strategy attempted by the club involved persuading players who wanted to leave for prize money and then using those fees back into squad investment. The club acted quickly. In preseason Leicester beat Rugby Borough, drew with Manchester United and lost to Liverpool. Six new signings have been made in that time and three more players have extended their contracts alongside Tierney.

Tierney joined Leicester from Sheffield United in 2020 and has worked with seven managers here. In 2021 the team were promoted to the WSL and in 2024 they reached the semi-finals of the Women's FA Cup. As captain Sam feels that changes will not happen immediately, but the aim is to make the club sustainable in the WSL and not become a ``yo‑yo club''.

Personally she hopes to have more fun as captain this season; Last season's regular drop-off and fear of relegation put constant pressure on that on-stage. She expressed her full support for the club's change of direction, as she did not feel she was someone at her age who should leave before the end of their journey. Tierney concluded: "I will only leave the club if it is in a better position for me than when I started."

Leicester's WSL‑2 opener is against Sheffield United on September 6. Amidst the many challenges, Sam Tierney's drive and determination to rebuild into a new-for-goodness can be expected to see Leicester strive towards a new identity.

What happens next

Leicester City will begin a much-needed rebuild as they prepare to compete back in WSL 2. Experienced players like Sam Tierney will be key to driving the club forward, increasing their chances of rejoining the Women's Super League soon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Leicester City captain Sam Tierney stay out of the transfer?

Sam Tierney said she was not the type to consider a transfer as she had built up her association at Leicester.

When did Sam Tierney sign a new contract?

Sam Tierney signed a new contract in July with a term until 2028.

How did the Leicester City women's team perform last season?

Leicester City Women's team managed just two wins in 22 matches last season, finishing with a goal difference of -41.

Why does Leicester City need change?

After Leicester City's relegation from the WSL,

The need to redirect and strengthen the club is clear.

What did Sam Tierney say about the club?

Sam Tierney says the club is great because of the people and the family feeling continues here.

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