Leicester City’s players and officials celebrate with the trophy after winning the English Premier League title in this May 7, 2016 file photo.
Doha: From relegation to third-tier in 2008 to becoming the champions of the English Premier League (EPL) in less than a decade, Leicester City’s fairytale run in 2015-16 season is written in golden words in the annals of British football history. The club’s history-making triumph will remain a lesson for all the teams around the world seeking glory against stronger oppositions.
Before their memorable EPL feat, The Foxes had merely collected three League Cups in addition to promotion play-off wins since its existence in 1884. The modest football club at rural county Leicester of East Midlands may not be able to replicate their historic triumph but they will continue to haunt the EPL title contenders as the new season approaches.
Leicester City’s ambition, determination and hard-work in their incredible ascent to the title is an amazing journey of courage and conviction.
In August 2010, the club ownership was overtaken by Royal Thai family Srivaddhanaprabha and they injected some much-needed cash flow and provided direction.
Coach Nigel Pearson orchestrated a sensational relegation escape by winning seven of final nine fixtures of the 2014-2015 season as the club remained in EPL top flight. Pearson’s departure on June 30 culminated his four-and-a-half seasons reign with the club.
Italian Claudio Ranieri was given the task to replace Pearson due to his vast experience, knowledge and reputation. Ranieri guided Cagliari from Italy’s Serie C to A.
Other remarkable credentials for the Italian coach were three second-tier titles at Cagliari, Fiorentina and Monaco apart from reaching second places at Chelsea, Juventus, Roma and Monaco.
A sense of calm in Austria commenced Ranieri’s charge upon arrival at a pre-season training camp.
Transition was somewhat stable as services of assistants Craig Shakespeare, Mike Stowell and Steve Walsh were retained while Andrea Azzalin and Paolo Benetti were roped in as new recruits.
For Ranieri acquiring quality players was significant in maintaining the momentum, reliable depth in team and outlining potential challenges ahead.
Summer signings included German central defender Robert Huth from Stoke City, Austrian fullback Christian Fuchs from Schalke, Swiss midfielder Gökhan Inler from Napoli, French defensive midfielder N’Golo Kanté from SM Caen and Japanese striker Shinji Okazaki from Mainz. The 2015-2016 season-opening day marked the first three points on a clean slate through an impressive 4-2 home victory over Sunderland at King Power Stadium.
On September 25, English striker Jamie Vardy equalled previous campaign’s tally of five during a 5-2 defeat by Arsenal.
Vardy’s phenomenal goal-scoring form overcame an EPL record by Dutch Ruud van Nistelrooy of notching goals in 10 consecutive games. Against Manchester United on November 28, Fuchs superb delivery provided Vardy’s eleventh goal in as many matches to rewrite history.
Algerian attacking midfielder Riyad Mahrez highlighted his magnificent emergence on December 5 at Swansea’s Liberty Stadium with a perfect hat-trick to seal a 3-0 win. On December 19, a 3-2 victory over Everton marked the 18th consecutive league matcm.
Global media were in awe as Leicester City continued sending shockwaves throughout the football world. Leicester City’s exhilarating performances, vibrant attacking potency and unity earned 39 valuable points by year’s end to equal standings leading Arsenal.
Winter transfer reinforcements included Danish goalkeeper Daniel Iverson, versatile Ghanaian Daniel Amartey and Birmingham City’s young winger Demarai Gray. In London on February 27, Leicester once again lost to the Gunners, their third league defeat. However, the standings on March 1 showed Leicester at the forefront while city rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal chasing as second and third respectively.
In April, Vardy was charged with improper conduct for misbehaviour after receiving a second yellow during a home fixture against West Ham, which extended his ban to two matches. Spurs applied pressure the next day through a 4-0 win at Stoke’s Britannia Stadium.
Roles amazingly reversed for the next fixtures. Spurs lost a key man to suspension during a home game versus West Bromich Albion at White Hart Lane as Dele Alli was banned for the season’s remaining games due to an off-the-ball incident. On the other hand, his colleagues managed a 4-0 win over Swansea without their main striker.
At the Theatre of Dreams – Old Trafford - against Manchester United was a fitting venue for the tantalisingly match as three points were sufficient to guarantee Leicester their maiden title.
Despite an atmosphere charged with anticipation, a potential decider’s 1-1 draw only delayed the celebrations.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino team’s game at Stamford Bridge was crucial as a win over Chelsea was a must for Spurs to continue their title race. On May 2, half-time result 2-0 from goals by Harry Kane and Heung-min Son eclipsed joyous hearts at the city of Leicester, until optimism and burning desire were reignited when Gary Cahill scored. Belgian Eden Hazard gifted the equaliser courtesy of an 83rd minute finish past Hugo Lloris.
Leicester City were crowned champions of England with the enormity of the triumph finally getting acknowledged by all and sundry. The trophy was ultimately presented at King Power Stadium after a 3-1 win against Everton.
The title-winning triumph only got wider appreciation when Jamaican central defender Captain Wes Morgan, Jamie Vardy, N’Golo Kanté and Riyad Mahrez were named in the PFA’s Team-of-the-Year. Praise was deservedly heaped upon Ranieri’s pivotal leadership that was key to Leicester City’s greatest day in the sun.
