Leicester City require reset from King Power to reverse League One failure

The final nail in the coffin of their weak attempt to stay in the Championship was hammered into place following a 2-2 draw against Hull City. Despite coming from behind to lead 2-1, City conceded another defensively poor goal and failed to convert any of their chances as the game became stretched.

Twenty-four hours after the club announced plans to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the historic top-flight title win, their League One status was confirmed. This relegation is different to the last time they dropped down to the third tier, for so many reasons.

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When Ian Holloway's men drew 0-0 to Stoke City on May 4, 2008 to confirm relegation to League One, it had been coming for years. After returning from the Premier League in 2004, the Foxes recorded three consecutive bottom-half finishes (15th, 16th and 19th) before dropping under the dotted line.

That season, the dug-out had several managers in charge. Martin Allen left after four matches, Gary Megson lasted 41 days before Holloway saw out the season - there was a brief spell as interim boss for Jon Rudkin in September.

They were relegated with 52 points 18 years ago, the maximum they can achieve this season is 46. Statistically, this is the worst Leicester City team in their 142-year history. If they drop lower than sixth in League One next season, it will be their lowest-ever league position.

For the handful of supporters who predicted the downward slope would continue this season, what has played out isn't a surprise. However, the form since the turn of the year - two league wins - has left even the most optimistic supporter bewildered.

Comparisons to 2008 are inevitable. The relegation under Milan Manadaric was the reset the club needed after years of bringing in Championship fodder. Nigel Pearson's appointment turned out to be arguably their best-ever with him bringing in players who completely overhauled the team.

This time, they are stepping into the unknown. Patson Daka, Ricardo Pereira and Jordan Ayew are all expected to depart when their contracts expire. The likes of Jannik Vestergaard, Jakub Stolarczyk, Ben Nelson and Hamza Choudhury all enter the final year of their deals, meaning this summer presents a final chance to recoup a fee.

And the biggest problem of them all is the growing disconnection among supporters and the King Power ownership. Last season, Rudkin was the subject of main protests, but the tide has heavily turned against Aiyawatt 'Khun Top' Srivaddhanaprabha.

In the 1-0 defeat to Swansea City earlier this month, the loudest chants against the owner were present. "Top's playing polo, we're off to Crewe," was sung before fans asked where Top was at full-time. The Leicester City owner was in attendance to witness the club fall to League One.

Top promised more communication with fans when he sat down with the media in January. Confirmation of their League One status, something that was never in his mind during that rounds of interviews, will surely result in more communication in the foreseeable. In the aftermath of Tuesday night's relegation, he did stop to talk to a small handful of supporters outside the King Power Stadium.

Once the gloom of relegation passes among the fanbase, there will be reason for optimism. A huge shake-up of the squad will definitely happen, meaning certain players will never play for the club again, and there could be a new manager in the dug-out. On paper, they will also be one of the favourites for promotion next year.

The obvious dilemma for next season is that the same infrastructure that has oversaw the club's demise are likely to make the decisions and there is little to no confidence in them doing so.

A statement from Top promised "necessary decisions" would be taken to "move the club forward". It remains to be seen what they are, but there's a pretty strong idea of what the majority believe needs to be done.

How they could do with a repeat of the success from 2009 to 2016 that followed their last relegation to League One.