The departure of Gary Lineker moving to Everton in 1985 saw a significant decline in Leicester City’s performances in the top flight as they narrowly escaped relegation at the end of the 1985 – 1986 campaign as they finished it off in 19th position, just narrowly escaping relegation at the end of the season. They crashed out of the FA cup in the third round as they suffered defeat against Bristol Rovers in the cup competition. The 1986 – 1987 season saw the Foxes suffer relegation in what proved to be the only season in charge at the club for Bryan Hamilton. David Pleat took over in charge at the club in 1987 and even he could not steer the foxes back in to the first division as they finished the 1987 – 1988 season off in 13th position, the 1988 – 1989 campaign in 15th position and the 1989 – 1990 season in 13th place. They reached the fourth round of the league up at the end of the 1988 – 1989 season however suffered defeat against Nottingham Forest in the last sixteen of the competition.
The 1989 – 1990 Leicester City team included players like, Martin Hodge, Ally Mauchlen, Tony Spearing, Gary Mills, Steve Walsh, Tony James, Paul Reid, Marc North, David Kelly, Gary McAllister and Tommy Wright.