The fairytale has finally come true for Leicester City. They are Premier League champions after narrowly escaping relegation last season. Led by the much maligned Claudio Ranieri, they were top candidates for relegation in the beginning of the season and had 5000/1 odds for winning the league. Ranieri was also the prime candidate for the first managerial sacking of the season.
Ranieri’s team of underdogs has surprised everyone. Their incredible form was expected to be an anomaly which would die out soon. They proved their doubters wrong and have emerged triumphant. Ranieri, a man whose managerial credentials were doubted, did a fantastic job of turning relegation strugglers into title winners.
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The Italian manager’s sense of humour and enthusiasm have made him a cult hero amongst football fans. He has spoken with light-hearted honesty this season which has won him many admirers. The man who was once mocked by Jose Mourinho for his linguistic skills has had some wonderful quotes attributed to him this season.
We look at the best of the “Tinkerman’s” quotes this season.
1) Leicester are like the RAF in action
When a team is likened to fighter jets, Real Madrid usually comes to mind with their scintillating counter attacks executed with lethal precision. Leicester have built up a similar reputation this season. Defending their penalty area with utmost dedication before launching into lightning fast counter attacks.
These counter attacks have been the secret to the Foxes’ success this season. Opposing teams were so surprised at the speed at which Leicester hit them on the counter that there was little else they could do other than helplessly watch.
When Jamie Vardy, Jeff Schlupp and Marc Albrighton were named the fastest players in the Premier League, Ranieri likened his team to the British Royal Air Force, saying, “I say my team is like the RAF, it’s fantastic – whoosh whoosh! – I love it.”
2) Enjoying the moment
Leicester City being top of the table at any given point of time during the season was a surreal experience not only for the team but also for the fans of the club and observers of the Premier League.
Ranieri did a fantastic job of managing the team and the expectations of the team throughout the campaign, initially insisting that their only goal was top-flight survival. As the Foxes kept overachieving through the season, they soon secured Champions League status.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference after securing Champions League status for next season, Ranieri was asked if he would now aim for the Premier League title. Leicester were living the dream and Ranieri chose to enjoy the moment, saying “We are in the Champions League, dilly ding, dilly dong – come on.”
3) Jamie Vardy is an animal
Striker Jamie Vardy’s story is similar to that of his club Leicester City. Vardy was a factory worker playing for Fleetwood Town, a non-league club playing in the Conference Premier, the sixth tier of English football.
Vardy, this season has completed his own fairytale while helping Leicester to the Premier League title. He scored thirteen goals in eleven consecutive games for Leicester from August to November.
Vardy’s pace, power and precision earned him many admirers throughout the season. He was also the fastest player in the Premier League. Reacting to this news, Ranieri, in his inimitable manner, said, “This is not a footballer. This is a fantastic horse.”
Vardy has been incredible this season, scoring goals when it has mattered most to the club. He has scored 22 goals this season, firing the Foxes to the title.
4) The roadrunner
Algerian winger, Riyad Mahrez has bamboozled defences with his trickery and pace this season. He has become the catalyst for Leicester’s success this season, scoring goals and assisting with ease.
His performances were so impressive that he won the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award. He has a remarkable 18 goals and 11 assists this season becoming a major factor in Leicester’s impressive performances.
Impressed with his dribbling skills and impact on matches, Claudio Ranieri compared him to the popular cartoon, the Roadrunner. The Italian manager said, “He is unbelievable. Just like the Road Runner. Its beep, beep and then whoosh! He’s gone.”
5) Leicester are Forrest Gump
The Foxes’ success this season has been based on hard work and team spirit. The players have fought for each other on the pitch, running hard up and down the pitch in a bid to keep their dream season alive. N’Golo Kante personifies this belief of working hard and never giving up.
The Italian manager compared his team to popular film “Forrest Gump”, where the protagonist keeps running throughout the film and being present at events of huge historical significance. Ranieri stated, “Why can’t we continue to run, run, run? We are like Forrest Gump. Leicester is Forrest Gump’’.
Leicester City have managed to run their way to a historic moment, just like Forrest Gump.
