LEICESTER CITY MANAGER Claudio Ranieri is tempted to get carried away by his side’s surprise Premier League title tilt but maintains their underdog status is intact.
Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Liverpool, courtesy of Jamie Vardy’s brace, puts Leicester three points clear at the summit ahead of trips to traditional heavyweights Manchester City and Arsenal in the next fortnight.
The outcome of their visits to the Etihad and Emirates Stadiums could make or break Leicester’s chances and Ranieri says his side – who battled relegation for long spells last term – remain unfancied for the title.
Referencing Barack Obama’s slogan during his successful run for the United States presidency, the Italian told reporters: ”I’d like to say ‘Yes we can!’, but I am not Obama. If I maintain this suspense it is much better.
“Of course we are underdogs. Even if [the other teams] push a little more and accelerate they go. We have to run a lot.
“Calm. Calm. Calm. Our fans must dream. We must stay with our feet on the ground. If we arrive fourth and go in the Champions League, unbelievable.
“During the pre-season friendlies, I believed in these players and I gave them all my confidence and support. Never did I blame them and say: ‘We conceded this goal because you did this or this.’ No. I said: ’Okay, we replay the highlights and we try to improve.’
“I want the intelligent man. If you have intelligent men, you can improve the player. You can be a fantastic player but if you’re a stupid man you cannot improve. I have very intelligent players.”
Vardy has arguably been the star of the show for Ranieri’s side, with a stunning long-range opener against Liverpool helping him top the Premier League goalscoring charts by three from Tottenham’s Harry Kane.
The 29-year-old’s contract expires in 2018 but the England international had reassuring words for Leicester fans.
“It will be sorted. I am leaving that to my agent,” Vardy said.
Have to hand it to the man, he has done a fantastic job with them, most managers of his caliber wouldn’t go near a team like Leicester, they usually only want clubs that can bring the very best players with alot of money in the bank and already have a team of stars. If they get champions league he is kind of manager that can attract star names for next season
I don’t think Ranieri’s stock was particularly high after being sacked from his last 3 jobs so to be honest, a mid to bottom of the table club in any league was always going to be the best he could get but credit where credit is due. I doubt Guardiola or Mourinho could have done a better job. The problems for Leicester will come next season. Will the players lose their hunger? Will they become big time charlies and demand wage increases? If they bring in better quality players, how will that effect team balance/moral, etc…
Top 4 is a near certainty hopefully at the very least top 3 so they go straight into the champions league, adding about 8 players has to be done at least with the extra games and the increased pressure on them , honestly I don’t fancy their chances of doing anything similar next season I hope they prove me wrong but they need to add to the squad
Beano, every manager with a bit of experience, comes to his interview, having been sacked from his last number of jobs, this man is just a breath of fresh air , and it’s showing in the performances, the players get it, they are enjoying themselves , and I think they will win that league, if they don’t it will not be because they freeze it will be because Spurs are coming into form.
I don’t think Leicester will win the league. Don’t get me wrong, they’ve been brilliant and deserve all the credit they get but if you read some of the media you would think they were 5 or 10 points in the lead! If City win this weekend, which I think they will, they’ll go top and I honestly believe they’ll stay there until the end of the season.
Wait for it ………Leicester next home game and all the fans holding up signs saying ……….YES WE CAN . But I really hope they win it . Ranieri is a class act .
‘Never did I blame them and say we conceded this goal because you did this and this’ Take note Gary Neville
A point at City would be a great result at this stage and I wouldn’t put it past them. De Bruyne out is a boost too. It’s that time of year now where teams like Leicester will pick up points against The Gunners so my money would be on them for a result then.
Ranieri for United