“Collapsed like house of cards” – Wout Faes explains why Leicester City fell to pieces

Leicester City’s Wout Faes remains hopeful of completing a permanent move to AS Monaco in the summer.

In the winter market, Leicester City let the centre-back join the Ligue 1 side on loan with an option to buy.

The 27-year-old decided to leave after his personal difficulties and the Championship side’s struggles this season.

Faes joined Leicester City from Stade de Reims in September 2022, when the Foxes were in the Premier League.

The Belgium international played 135 matches for the English club and was a regular until the end of last season. His game time dropped this season and he played 944 minutes from 16 matches.

Martí Cifuentes, who was Leicester City’s manager until January 25th, didn’t utilise him from December. His last Leicester City appearance was in their 3-2 defeat to Sheffield United on November 29th.

This left former FC Augsburg defender Kees Kwakman surprised. Faes joined Monaco on loan and the move worked out as the defender played 749 minutes from nine matches.

Wout Faes explains Leicester City struggles

Het Laatste Nieuws have spoken to the defender about several topics, including the Foxes’ poor run and his own future.

They are 23rd in the table, after a six point deduction for breaching PSR rules, and are two points behind 21st placed West Bromwich Albion.

Faes believes Leicester City’s collapse took place since Enzo Maresca left them for Chelsea after the 2023/24 season. The Italian left the Blues in January. He talked about this when asked ‘what went wrong’ at Leicester City?

“If you look at the standings in the Championship, you can imagine what things are like there at the moment. Since the departure of Maresca, it has collapsed like a house of cards. It is a real shame, because Leicester is and remains a wonderful club, with tremendous potential,” he said.

On losing prominence at the King Power Stadium, Faes explained: “That was indeed new and difficult for me, because before that, I basically always played wherever I was. At the end of last season, it was clear to both sides that our cycle had come to an end after three years and that we could work towards a transfer.

“Logically, I didn’t play in the first weeks of the season, because the coach didn’t want to build a team with a central defender who was, in principle, going to leave.”

“In the summer, several clubs did indeed come forward as interested,. Due to circumstances, no one reached an agreement with Leicester. That meant I was still there in September.

“After that, I started playing again, until I end up on the bench again in November, without really being spoken to. 

“To be honest, I think decision was made from above to make it clear that it was better for me to leave in the winter.”

Aims for permanent move to Monaco

The Leicester City owned player now hopes to leave them permanently for Monaco after this season.

“My contract allows until a week after the end of the season, because otherwise the period in which I could prove myself would be very short. But honestly? That is something I’m not thinking about too much,” he added.

“It would obviously be nice if I could stay, Monaco is a wonderful club. I play, I feel appreciated, but even if that is not the case, I think the six months I have been here will open other doors.”

What next for Belgian defender

Wout Faes already wanted to leave last summer, but a deal never took shape. The Foxes then tried to get rid of him in the winter market. That worked to an extent as he went out on loan.

Therefore, the two parties could part ways permanently, even if Monaco don’t make his stay permanent.

Transfermarkt value him at €12m.