Claudio Ranieri reminisces about Leicester City’s iconic Premier League victory a decade ago, a monumental achievement that saw an unfancied team conquer England’s top flight. This reflection comes as the Foxes prepare to play in the third tier of English football, a stark contrast to their former glory.
Ten years have passed since Ranieri etched his name in football history by leading Leicester City to a Premier League title, outmaneuvering clubs with significantly larger financial resources and storied trophy cabinets. The magnitude of that accomplishment is underscored by the fact that Leicester City will compete in League One next season, following consecutive relegations.
To mark the anniversary of this extraordinary achievement, Ranieri engaged in a conversation with singer-songwriter Sayf, who previously drew parallels between his unexpected hit song and Leicester’s fairytale season.
Ranieri’s Recollections of Leicester City’s Success
“There was an incredible positive energy surrounding the team at that time, but I only truly believed we would win the Premier League when we actually lifted the trophy,” Ranieri shared with Sky Sport Italia.
“This club was considered a ‘yo-yo team,’ fluctuating between divisions, and now they’ve fallen to the English third tier. When the President hired me, his objective was to secure 40 points and ensure safety from relegation as early as possible. From that foundation, a legend was born.
“Upon my arrival, the team was in a training retreat after sacking their previous coach. I had just two days to prepare, analyzing games from prior seasons. I implemented a few changes, as they were accustomed to a different system. I identified certain players who I felt were right to integrate, and from there, the team began to truly surge forward.”
When questioned about a specific moment or game that signified a turning point in their remarkable season, Ranieri maintained that there wasn’t a single, distinct moment.
“I started making adjustments because we were conceding too many goals. I changed the two wide defenders, and subsequently, the team began to concede fewer goals.
“Another potential pivotal period was a series of three challenging matches: away to Manchester City, at home against Liverpool, and then away to Arsenal, all before the international break. Jamie Vardy approached me and asked, ‘Mister, shall we aim for nine points?’ I responded that if they managed to secure nine points, I would grant them the entire week off for a vacation. We triumphed 3-1 in Manchester, defeated Liverpool, and were leading Arsenal 1-0 until we were reduced to ten men and conceded in the 93rd minute.
“Everyone was disheartened in the dressing room, so I told them: ‘I have always demanded your utmost effort in every game. We lost today, but you gave your best, so in my eyes, you have earned three points. Therefore, you can have the entire week off.’ That moment might have been another crucial element in our eventual victory.”
Ranieri is also remembered for his famous ‘dilly-ding dilly-dong’ gesture during training, a unique way of ringing a metaphorical bell to awaken his Leicester City players.
“Throughout all my experiences, I’ve always tried to keep everyone engaged and maintain a positive atmosphere with a smile,” the coach remarked.