Coventry City star sends 5-word message to Abdul Fatawu after Leicester City relegation | OneFootball

The Sky Blues and the Foxes are bitter rivals, but one Coventry promotion-winner has responded to the Ghanaian winger

For the first time in six years, the two clubs at the opposite ends of the M69 - Coventry City and Leicester City - will ply their trades two divisions apart.

Back in the 2019-20 season that was affected by the outbreak of COVID-19, the Sky Blues won promotion from League One as champions, with the regular season ended early, whilst the Foxes were plying their trade in the Premier League, finishing fifth in the standings and qualifying for European football, whilst they'd win the FA Cup the following campaign.

The roles have well and truly reversed now though. After six seasons in the second tier, with play-off heartbreak suffered twice in the space of three years, Coventry have made it back to the Premier League under Frank Lampard's management for the first time in 25 years, and they've done it in style as the champions.

But at the other end of the Championship standings, it has been a torrid year for their Midlands rivals Leicester, who, like Luton did last year, have suffered back-to-back relegations and have dropped into League One for the first time since 2009.

It was not meant to happen like this for Leicester, who were one of the favourites to go straight back up to the top flight under Marti Cifuentes, but a lack of investment into the playing squad, coupled with a change of manager and a six-point deduction for financial irregularities all combined into a disastrous bundle, and has led to the drop into the third tier.

There have not been many individual shining lights within the Leicester squad this season, with Stade Rennais loanee Jordan James perhaps the only one, and even star winger Abdul Fatawu, who much was expected of, was not consistent enough across the campaign.

Abdul Fatawu sent message by Coventry City rival after Foxes relegation

Last time Leicester played Championship football in 2023-24, Fatawu - then on loan from Sporting CP - notched six goals and 13 assists in the Enzo Maresca-led title-winning Foxes side, and with a knee injury restricting the Ghanaian to minimal appearances in the top flight last season, it was expected that the 22-year-old would return to the second tier with a flourish.

Nine goals and seven assists though doesn't tell the whole story for Fatawu's campaign - he has been a match-winner at times, but his performances have also been frustrating in the eyes of City fans - especially in the last couple of months when his wizardry has been needed the most.

In a week where many Leicester players have been silent after relegation to League One was confirmed, Fatawu has finally spoken out via Instagram in regards to the club's situation, with this Saturday's clash with Blackburn Rovers likely to be his final one in a City shirt.

And interestingly enough, a response to Fatawu's message came from fellow Ghanaian Brandon Thomas-Asante - one of the stars of rival side Coventry's promotion-winning season.

In a five-word response to Fatawu's message, Thomas-Asante - despite being a club rival - backed his international team-mate by saying 'you did your bit bro' in regards to trying to keep Leicester in the Championship.

Brandon Thomas-Asante message is a stark reminder of how far Leicester City have fallen

Granted the pair are team-mates when internationals are on, but Thomas-Asante's message is an unlikely show of public support from one club rival to another - especially when the rivalry is so bitter.

But it's also a timely indication and reminder about where the two clubs are going to be next season, with Coventry finally ascending to a place they haven't been for 25 years, and Leicester dropping down into the third tier just 10 years after their Premier League triumph.

For Fatawu, there will be some short-term pain, but you'd imagine he's all-but sure to not be at the King Power Stadium next season, given his reputation, potential and the fact Leicester will need to cash in on some players to balance the books.

So when Leicester are aiming to bounce back at the first time of asking, Fatawu is probably not going to be involved - and his post-relegation message will likely be forgotten about.