Sport

'The emotion was at maximum level' says Claudio Ranieri

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri during a training session at Belvoir Drive on Tuesday<br />Picture by PA
Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri during a training session at Belvoir Drive on Tuesday
Picture by PA
Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri during a training session at Belvoir Drive on Tuesday
Picture by PA

LEICESTER boss Claudio Ranieri admitted he was almost overcome by emotion after winning the Barclays Premier League and insisted it can be the start of a new era for the club.

The Foxes sealed one of the biggest shocks in English football after they clinched the title following Tottenham's 2-2 draw at Chelsea on Monday. Leicester finished 14th, just six points above the relegation zone, last season, but Ranieri's 5,000-1 shots are seven points clear at the top with two games left.

He flew back from Italy after visiting his 96-year-old mother in Rome on Monday and landed at East Midlands airport in time to return home and watch Tottenham's draw. Leicester have also qualified for the Champions League and Ranieri believes the club can continue to prove their doubters wrong.

"The emotion was at the maximum level," he said.

"It means the job is good. I am very, very happy now because, maybe if I won this title at the beginning of my career, maybe I would forget. Now I am an old man, I can feel it much better. I said every time, I am very happy for the fans, for the chairman and for all the Leicester community. I don't know the secret. The players, the heart, the soul and how they play. My message to the fans is now to keep going, we want to improve a lot."

Ranieri watched the game at home with his family and admitted it is likely to be a one-off success: "I think no," when asked if the Foxes can defend their title. 

"But we want to continue to build. When I came here, the objective was to create a solid foundation and build together. This season is out of our project, but our foundations are very solid and we want to do our best.

"We don't want to sell anybody. If some player doesn't want to stay with us, I don't want unhappy people. We are looking to add to the team, but with the same mentality. Who comes must know we are working hard."

But the 64-year-old admitted he did not take anything for granted, despite the Foxes' commanding lead going into the final three games: "I believed last night. Of course you feel something, but I am a pragmatic man and I know football well. Something strange could happen," he added.

"It was an amazing achievement. We wanted to do something special, but no-one could have believed we would do this. I was at home with my wife. Nothing more. I celebrate with my wife and family."

The squad watched the Spurs game at striker Jamie Vardy's house on Monday and midfielder Danny Drinkwater insisted their bond was key to their success: "It was brilliant, all the lads were together whilst it happened and it kind of sums us up as a group of lads," the England midfielder said.

"I've not [known a bond like it] and I think the rest of the lads would answer the question the same. It's a special moment for us lot. The manager has kind of put his trust in us and we've repaid him. He's a laid-back kind of guy and that reflects on us. It helps us when it comes to games.

"You look around and, in three years, we've won the Championship, we've won the Premier League, it's bonkers. It's hard to put into words. It's mad. I'll be looking back at this [season] for years. It'll be something I'll be able to tell my kids about."

The squad arrived for training as normal on Tuesday, but had a light session before going for a celebration lunch at an Italian restaurant in the city. Captain Wes Morgan, who scored in last Sunday's 1-1 draw at Manchester United, admitted the emotions may get the better of him when he lifts the trophy after Saturday's final home game of the season against Everton.

He said: "I am going to try to hold back the tears. It is going to be very emotional. It hasn't sunk in yet. It was a long night celebrating and I am feeling a bit drained at the moment.

"After the initial euphoria, a lot of people couldn't believe what had happened. There were a few tears. I can't quite believe it. It is safe to say I never thought I would be in this position now. The journey we've been on is fantastic. It's an achievement that might not be achieved again."

Back-up goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, who admitted he is likely to leave this summer, also said Ranieri's composure has been invaluable and wants them to keep their key players, including striker Jamie Vardy.

"He's [Ranieri] been incredibly calm throughout the course of the whole season," Schwarzer said.

"He's changed very little from when you look at the make-up of the team. He's made little tweaks, he's definitely changed the way we trained a little bit.

Schwarzer added: "Jamie's been incredible. I think he genuinely loves playing at Leicester, loves the club and he's just recently signed a new deal.

"So at this stage, you wouldn't think he would be moving on but, in football, like we all know, anything can happen."

Jose Mourinho, who won the title with Chelsea last season, also offered his congratulations to Leicester and Ranieri via a statement which read: "I want to congratulate everyone connected to LCFC; players, staff, owners and fans. I lost my title to Claudio Ranieri and it is with incredible emotion that I live this magic moment in his career."

Leicester could face Real Madrid in the Champions League next season and head coach Zinedine Zidane praised their success and insisted it was deserved, not a miracle: "Miracles don't exist in football," he said. 

"I think they have had a wonderful season. Ranieri, their coach, did a wonderful job. I am really happy for them. It is the first time they are champions - it is something to be admired very much. For me, it is no miracle - it is what this team deserves."

Leicester Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill added: "It is fantastic for the city. it is unbelievable. The world knows where Leicester City are now."