Fans will be forgiven for not remembering much from Leicester City’s 2007-08 season. The Foxes were relegated to League One after finishing 22nd in the Championship.
Although the Foxes aren’t doing so well in the Premier League this campaign, things used to be a lot worse.
Back in 2007 — 18 years ago — ‘Mad Dog’ Martin Allen was in charge of Leicester City and Milan Mandaric was the club’s Chairman.
The pair were responsible for one of the most bizarre transfer sagas in the Foxes’ history.
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28 Sep 2000: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink of Chelsea shows his frustration during the UEFA Cup First leg second round match between St Gallen and Chelsea played at the Hardturm Stadium in Zurich. Mandatory Credit: Ben Radford/ALLSPORT
28 Sep 2000: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink of Chelsea shows his frustration during the UEFA Cup First leg second round match between St Gallen and Chelsea played at the Hardturm Stadium in Zurich. Mandatory Credit: Ben Radford/ALLSPORT
Leicester City came within touching distance of signing Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in 2007
Looking to work their way back to England’s top-flight, Mandaric believed Leicester City should sign an experienced and high-profile forward.
The player the Serbian businessman wanted was former Chelsea and Leeds United hitman Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
The Dutch striker had just been released from Charlton Athletic’s following their relegation but was open to joining another Championship club as long as they had ambitions of winning promotion back to the Premier League.
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This increased Leicester City’s chances of signing him and inspired Mandaric to open negotiations.
Despite agreeing personal terms and having a medical scheduled, Hasselbaink failed to sign a contract before the deal fell through.
“I had spoken to the chairman on Friday and agreed terms,” the striker said, live on TV, at the time.
“He said there would be a medical on Monday. I got a call on Sunday from the manager himself, Martin Allen, to come up at three o’clock to do the medical. I arrived at the training ground and the medical never happened.”
22 Jul 2000: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink of Chelsea in action during the pre-season friendly match between Kingstonian and Chelsea played at the Kingsmeadow in Kingston, London. Mandatory Credit: Tom Shaw/ALLSPORT
22 Jul 2000: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink of Chelsea in action during the pre-season friendly match between Kingstonian and Chelsea played at the Kingsmeadow in Kingston, London. Mandatory Credit: Tom Shaw/ALLSPORT
Martin Allen explains reason for Hasselbaink’s failed transfer
Speaking about Hasselbaink’s collapsed move to the King Power, Allen recalled the time the pair met in a hotel just before the striker was due to travel to Leicester City’s training ground.
Asked by Hasselbaink’s entourage how he feels about the Dutchman’s impending transfer, Allen claims he told the player he didn’t have any personal issues with him, but admitted he didn’t want to sign him. The proposed transfer was the Chairman’s idea and Allen made that clear.
According to the former Leicester City manager, Hasselbaink departed and didn’t go to the club’s facilities as intended.
He and Mandaric clashed following the interaction and the deal to bring Hasselbaink to Leicester never materialised.
Shortly after it was confirmed the transfer had fallen through, Mandaric, who appeared on TV, said: “When I agreed with Jimmy on the financial needs for him, he was directed to the manager to meet him.
“And from there he (Allen) said to me that he would sign him if Jimmy would accept 30 days – or two or three weeks – minimum to spend with him and train, to prepare him to be fit. Apparently Jimmy did not accept that and that’s the end of the story.”
The former Chairman’s version of events has never been verified, but it certainly seems that Hasselbaink’s failed transfer to Leicester City was one of the most stressful periods in his career.