McSweeney: A Productive Season

Next Match | Friday 24 April Fri 24 Apr

MIL

(H)

02 D

10 H

02 M

31 S

Interviews & Features

Heritage

Photos

McSweeney: A Productive Season

Leicester City Under-21s coach Leon McSweeney is proud of the Academy's effort this season, which has seen so many players make an impression in the First Team.

2025-05-29T09:00+01:00

by Matthew Temple

Published

29 May, 2025

McSweeney: A Productive Season

Leicester City Under-21s coach Leon McSweeney is proud of the Academy's effort this season, which has seen so many players make an impression in the First Team.

Matthew Temple

2025-05-29T09:00+01:00

McSweeney: A Productive Season

Leicester City Under-21s coach Leon McSweeney is proud of the Academy's effort this season, which has seen so many players make an impression in the First Team.

Matthew Temple

2025-05-29T09:00+01:00

McSweeney: A Productive Season

Leicester City Under-21s coach Leon McSweeney is proud of the Academy's effort this season, which has seen so many players make an impression in the First Team.

Matthew Temple

2025-05-29T09:00+01:00

McSweeney: A Productive Season

Leicester City Under-21s coach Leon McSweeney is proud of the Academy's effort this season, which has seen so many players make an impression in the First Team.

Matthew Temple

2025-05-29T09:00+01:00

Leicester City's Development Squad ended PL2 campaign with 5-3 loss to Southampton
The play-off fixture was pushed to extra-time after the young Foxes came from three goals down
Leon McSweeney discussed the season and the players' progression

Finishing 10th in the PL2 standings, Leicester made it through to the knockout stages of the competition which took the youngsters to the south coast to face off against Southampton.

Three goals down heading into the last 10 minutes, the Foxes fought back to take the game to extra-time, which eventually led to a Saints win, who would go on to reach the final, losing 2-0 to Manchester City.

Reviewing the game, and the season of a whole, McSweeney is very proud of the effort put in by an ever-learning group.

Jake Evans scored his 11th of the season at Southampton.

“The season as a whole has been very productive,” the coach opened up with. “We tried to create a positive culture to live each day and for large parts they’ve done that; we couldn’t ask more from them.

“The last game summed up the whole season in 120 minutes where we started dominant but concede sloppily. But then they rallied around and showed that resilience.

“We probably should’ve won the game when Louis Page had a chance at the end but that’s football. It went to extra-time and we lost it, looking a bit exhausted, but we were facing a top side. It gives us belief in the group though and confidence for next season.”

In his first season with the lead coach role, McSweeney has learnt a lot, in particular, the difficulties with inconsistency, but he has been proud of the group’s progression.

“I think the main takeaway I’ve learnt is the inconsistency, that you have to deal with from a coaching perspective and that’s because of age,” the coach continued.

Making his way to the First Team stage.

“And then it’s about managing expectations and keeping building those beliefs in the players and their abilities on the football pitch.

“As the season has progressed, that has certainly improved and the players have come to understand what’s asked of them. They believe in us as coaches and that builds something special that can push for more First Team inclusion.”

A plethora of Academy players have made an impression on the First Team, including 15-year-old wonderkid Jeremy Monga, who became the second youngest player to feature in the Premier League earlier this season.

“Progression of players is the challenge and pressure that we hold and it’s what we, as an Academy, get judged on,” McSweeney explained.

“The cherry on top is when we get those players into First Team contention, and that’s our challenge, to allow them to catch the eye of those at Seagrave.

“Our job this season, and the next, is to make sure they are ready when the call comes.”

LATEST HEADLINES

Chairman Statement: Leicester City Relegated To League One Following confirmation of Leicester City’s relegation to League One, Chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha has issued the following statement:

10 Hours 57 Mins Ago

Foxes Relegated To League One After Hull Draw We have been relegated to Sky Bet League One following Tuesday night’s 2-2 draw with Hull City at King Power Stadium.

11 Hours 47 Mins Ago

Team News: Leicester City vs. Hull City Gary Rowett has named his Leicester City side for tonight's encounter with Hull City in the Sky Bet Championship.

15 Hours 27 Mins Ago

Fan Zone Open Ahead Of Millwall Game Our Fan Zone will be open on Friday night ahead of our Sky Bet Championship fixture against Millwall at King Power Stadium.

22 Hours 27 Mins Ago

LATEST PHOTOS

Leicester City 2 Hull City 2

11 Hours 57 Mins Ago

Hull Preparations In Seagrave A look at Monday's training session at LCFC Training Ground as our encounter with Hull City nears.

20 Apr, 2026

Portsmouth 1 Leicester City 0 Match imagery from our Sky Bet Championship clash with Pompey on the South Coast.

18 Apr, 2026

City's Pompey Preparations In Focus Imagery from Seagrave as the Foxes prepare for the trip to Portsmouth in the Sky Bet Championship this weekend.

16 Apr, 2026