Brendan Rodgers hits back at Leicester criticism and makes "elite manager" claim

Brendan Rodgers insists he can handle any flak over Leicester’s slump and predicts his side will soon improve a lot.

Boss Rodgers is staying calm despite fresh criticism when Leicester conceded an injury-time equaliser against West Ham on Sunday as the Foxes were booed off.

The former Liverpool and Celtic coach is focused on improving a run of form which has seen Leicester win just five times in 19 matches in all competitions.

It is the first crisis of Rodgers’ three-year reign with his side 11th in the Premier League and last term's FA Cup winners yet to keep to a clean sheet in 2022.

Rodgers, 49, who is under contract until 2025, assessed: “It has been a challenging season, there is no getting away from that.

“When you lose games, you have to accept you are going to be criticised. But from a personal perspective, I always try to stay calm and stay in control of everything.

“I have never been one where my mood shifts depending on what other people will write or say. Unfortunately now I am experienced enough to regulate whatever pressures.

“It wasn’t that long ago you are deemed an elite manager having won the FA Cup and now very quickly you are not.

“But I love working with the players here and love the people at the club. That is all I will continue to do with a smile and enjoyment until someone tells me differently.

“If they do, I will have done my very best with the resources I have, then I will move on. But until then I have a big energy for the team and the club and for my contract here.”

Rodgers’ and Leicester’s fortunes have been badly affected by injuries this term with the likes of Jamie Vardy, Wesley Fofana and Jonny Evans all out.

But talismanic striker Vardy is close to returning to fitness in 10-14