No-one would believe they could do it. But they did. Leicester City’s title-winning season has run to an almost constant soundtrack of people writing them off, refusing to accept that the apparently impossible could come to pass. Now that Claudio Ranieri’s men have sealed the most incredible league success since Nottingham Forest – arguably more incredible in the money-soaked modern era – we trace their charge to the Barclays Premier League title using the quotes of the season.
Ranieri’s appointment
July 13 2015
“Claudio Ranieri? Really? Claudio Ranieri is clearly experienced, but this is an uninspired choice by Leicester” – Gary Lineker on Twitter.
“Can’t believe Leicester appointed Ranieri ... Great club, great fanbase but I’m afraid MK [Dons] rather than Old Trafford season after next” - Dietmar Hamann on Twitter.
Pizza for clean sheets
September 17
“I want to pay a pizza for a clean sheet. When we get one I pay for pizza and maybe a hot dog” – Ranieri, speaking after Leicester had conceded seven goals in five league games, with no clean sheets. Five games later, they kept a clean sheet.
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“I say my team is like the RAF… Defeat is only behind the corner so you have to be very focused and concentrate. If they don’t take it seriously – I kill them!” - Ranieri
October 24
“Nothing fazes him at all, it doesn’t matter whether he is playing in non-league with 100 people or playing at Wembley. There is a common theme with Jamie because wherever he plays the team wins leagues, but if he played at one of the real big boys I think he would be exceptional. I think that he is worthy of a place [at Euro 2016] and won’t let anyone down” - Fleetwood owner, Andy Pilley, on Jamie Vardy, who has played for the club.
Ranieri still cautious
December 5
“I don’t change my ambitions. My first goal is the [the 40-point mark]. My ambition is very high, but my [first] goal is that” – Ranieri, after Leicester beat Swansea 3-0 to move to the top of the table, 20 points clear of the relegation zone.
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Ferguson’s wisdom
December 8
“They could win the league with the way they are playing at the moment, and they have goals in their team. At the moment, [Ranieri] can pick the same team because he has a limited squad and is doing very well, but if he wants to win the league, I think he should add to it, and I think there may be a great chance” - Sir Alex Ferguson.
“Vardy Salted”
December 12
Vardy, the Leicester striker, has a limited edition packet of Walkers crisps made in his honour for breaking the Premier League record for goals scored in consecutive matches, “Vardy Salted”. “Packs of ready salted flavour crisps with a celebratory image of Vardy and in the colour of Leicester’s Blue will be handed out exclusively to fans at the Leicester City v Chelsea game,” a Walkers spokesperson said.
Henry unconvinced
December 13
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“I still don’t regard them as realistic title contenders and they are probably not going to finish in the top four. But the longer the so-called ‘big five’ fail to put their stamp on the Prem, the more Leicester will fancy their chances of pulling off one the biggest shocks of the century” - Thierry Henry.
Lineker’s pants promise
December 14
YES! If Leicester win the @premierleague I’ll do the first MOTD of next season in just my undies” – Lineker on Twitter, after Vardy and Mahrez scored in Leicester’s 2-1 win over Chelsea, the champions.
Crazy talk
December 19
“If we stay [top of the league] until the end of April, I will think about the title. Now I just enjoy it. That is football. Football is crazy. If it is crazy in this way, I am very happy. Our target is 40 points.” Ranieri after Leicester’s 3-2 win at Everton took them five points clear.
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Free beer
December 23
Leicester announced that they will give all fans a free beer for the last home game of 2015, against Manchester City.
40 points
January 2
“If we have another second half of the season like the first we will be there or thereabouts” – Vardy, after Leicester reached 40 points with a 0-0 draw with Bournemouth.
The next target
February 5
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“I told my players that we made 39 points in the first half [of the season] so I want 40 points from the second half - one more. We have to take two points every match between now and the end of the season to arrive at 79 points. I don’t know if it will be good enough to win [the title]” – Ranieri sets a new goal, the day before Leicester win 3-1 away at Manchester City.
Pressure? What pressure?
February 12
“The pressure is for the other teams, not us. The money and the big gap? We have pressure for our little gap, Arsenal has more pressure because they have spent more money. Tell me why I must feel pressure?” Ranieri before Leicester lost 2-1 to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Pearson takes some credit
February 18
“I think they’ll win the Premier League, because they won’t be distracted by the hype. Leicester are where they are because they’ve had a fantastic season and because their manager has managed skilfully and sensibly, but also because they previously had someone in charge who was able to front it up and make tough decisions when they needed to be made” – Nigel Pearson, Ranieri’s predecessor.
Rugby confusion
March 2
“I didn’t know Leicester. In France we didn’t really [know them] because they were in the Championship. I thought they were a rugby club. I was like, ‘I don’t know.’ But then I came here to see the facilities and they were good. I do not regret signing for them, it’s the best club I’ve ever been at” - Mahrez, in April’s FourFourTwo magazine.
The retiring type
March 16
“I think that this will be my last club. I hope that they make me a long contract, of six or seven years, and that I retire here” – Ranieri responds to speculation that he could leave Leicester in the summer.
At Europe’s top table
April 10
“No-one in football can explain the Leicester miracle. Even though I support Arsenal in the Premier League, I’d like to see Ranieri’s side win it. They’re an example and an inspiration to everyone” - Wojciech Szczesny, the former Arsenal goalkeeper, after Leicester secure Champions League football with a 2-0 win at Sunderland.
Buffon rolls out the welcome mat
April 11
“#Leicester @lcfc is no more a fairy tale, now is reality. Welcome in Europe Mr. Claudio Ranieri!” - Gianluigi Buffon, the Juventus and Italy goalkeeper, on Twitter.
Ranieri eyes title
April 22
“The Champions League is a great achievement and a great challenge - but there is one target left for us” – Ranieri.
Tom’s a tease
Wednesday April 27
Tom Hanks told ITN he put £100 on Leicester to top the table at the start of the season. When questioned on the veracity of that, he coyly answered: “Maybe I did, maybe I didn’t,” so it might well have been a joke.