It was an understandably jubilant Philippe Clement who spoke to the media following City’s clinical 2-0 win over Leicester at the King Power.
On what many regard as City’s finest performance of the season, especially given the club’s current injury crisis, the normally calm and measured Belgian was wholesome in the praise of his charges.
What impressed him especially was the tactical discipline of his side, the impact of his substitutes, and the growing connection with the club’s travelling support, which numbered over two-and-a-half thousand yesterday.
Here is what the Belgian had to say after we moved 11 points clear of the drop zone.
On the professional performance
“I am very pleased with the maturity. We knew Leicester has a squad with top-three talent in this league, even with their current situation. We had to be brave. In the first half, we controlled the spaces well, and in the second half, we showed the aggression needed to win games away from home.
“One of the most positive points for me is that the players now have the mindset that there is no difference between playing at Carrow Road or away—we play our game everywhere.”
On Anis Ben Slimane and the impact of his players from the bench
“It is a tough puzzle at the moment with the injuries, so we must prepare Plan A, B, C, and D. Anis [Ben Slimane] showed exactly why you need a strong squad. He came on and provided that bit of quality and composure to find the corner.
“We have to think much more about the changes when we have a thin group, taking players off even when they play well to protect them for the next game. But when the players coming on have this impact, it makes the job easier.”
On the defensive solidity and another clean sheet
“To come here and limit a team with their quality to so few clear chances is a testament to the work of the whole team. From the strikers pressing to the back four being combative, we did not allow them easy moments.
“We have seen the physical data of this team improve massively compared to three months ago, and you see that in the final 20 minutes of matches now.”
On the full-time scenes with the travelling Y’Army
“You see a lot of joy on the pitch and also next to the pitch with our fans. I don’t like to be the centre of attention too much, but Kenny [McLean] tricked me into going to the fans!
“It is amazing to have that energy. We are building our own story now. We look at where the club was a few months ago and where we are now—we must stay ambitious to make this story better and better.”
The transformation and synergy to which Clement refers all stems from what he has achieved at Carrow Road (and Colney) since his appointment on November 18, 2025.
Under Liam Manning, our destination was clear: League One. His tenure needs no explanation beyond the stats: Nine points from 15 matches (at an average of 0.60 PPG) left us in 23rd with only two league wins and a dismal record of seven consecutive home defeats.
(Yes, I know you already know this, but it’s worth reminding ourselves occasionally, just how dire things were).
By contrast, in just 103 days in charge, Clement has galvanised the whole club, from top to bottom, and has led us to 17th by earning 36 points from 20 games (an average of 1.8 PPG).
Under the Belgian, we’ve evolved from no-hopes into the Championship’s most in-form side of 2026. Along the way, in addition to the clean sheets he mentions above, the goal-scoring rate has nearly doubled, from 0.9 per game under Manning to 1.7.
What’s not to like?
The only downside, the injury list aside, is that some of these players, like Kellen Fisher, are now hitting the radar of some Premier League clubs. But that’s a worry for another day.
For now, let’s enjoy the moment. And rejoice in the fact we now have an elite head coach in charge.
