Susan Whelan Departs … The Foxes Trust View

Based on the key findings of our End of Season Survey we were calling for change at the top. But as our Co-Chair Steve Moulds told Radio Leicester on Thursday, we didn’t see this change coming.

Susan has guided the club through some unprecedented times at our football club, related to both on and off the pitch issues, and has done it with confidence and competence. As Steve mentioned, she was at times seen by some as ‘the glue holding the club together’. 

She was the one person at the highest level of the Club who was prepared to speak with the Trust directly, and also through the Fan’s Advisory Board, and we know that she was held in the highest regard by many of those working at the Football Club.

In the interest of balance, however, we also need to consider that is likely as CEO she would have had responsibility for signing off some of the more recent decisions that surround the financial health of the club, FFP/PSR, and the recent changes that have alienated the fan base, such as ticket pricing and the increased relationship with gambling companies.

One of our five ‘Calls to Action’ following the End of Season Survey results sought changes to the Senior Leadership at the club, and we are pleased to see that change is happening and the Club has an opportunity to bring in fresh impetus, ideas and (we hope) football experience at the very top of the Club.

That said, we feel that the deterioration in the way the club has been managed over recent years can in large parts be attributed as due to poor management on the football side of the club and that is why in our Calls to Action we also asked the Club to appoint a Director of Football with a proven track record of improving a club at the highest level.

So where do we go from here?

The Trust wants to see someone appointed, whether at CEO level or an equally important position at the Club, that has a proven track record in the world of football – with the business acumen needed these days in a world of multi-million player deals, and sponsorship/commercial deals – to ensure this Club again reaches for the highest level of achievement. 

We also want better communication from the Club (senior management and the ownership) which sets out to all our supporters the plan for progress on the playing side: Where do we want to be? How are we going to get there? What will change with developing players, player recruitment, player contract control and the churn of players?

Supporters will want to hear from Senior Management what our financial position is and what measures and controls are now in place to ensure we do not breach Financial Fair Play (as well as who at the Club is ultimately responsible for compliance with these regulations). And we want more openness about the development of the infrastructure of the club, including whether ground expansion will go ahead.

As a Trust, we feel apprehensive. After Susan’s departure, we could be left with a gaping hole and the Club becoming even more inward-looking. Or we might, just might, see a seismic shift for the better if we eventually get someone with the skills and football knowledge to hold the reins of guiding our Club forward, and with the communication competences to tell us clearly and openly how they are going to do it.

More information

Listen to Steve Moulds on the Boot Room (from 52 minutes) – Leicester City Boot Room – 02/10/2025 – BBC Sounds

Update on Trust Survey Actions & Responses – Updates on Trust Survey Actions & Responses – Foxes Trust

Rob Dorsett from Sky on X – His view why change was inevitable