Underdog Series: How Leicester Won the Premier League
By
Dan Holmes
Contributor Updated: 28 August 2024
Dan Holmes Contributor
Dan Holmes, a content creator and sports betting enthusiast, brings over a decade of experience to Betting.US. His extensive writing background spans from the internet to prestigious roles at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Dan’s articles, featured on numerous websites, cover various sports, from bowling to disc golf.
How Leicester Won the Premier League
What can you say when a 5000-to-1 longshot wins the league championship? You may not be able to speak if you had a Premier League betting wager on that team. In 2016, you could have won half a million dollars on a $100 bet if you had placed a bet on Leicester City FC to win the Premier League.
Listed as +500000 (or 5000-to-1) before the season began, the Leicester City premier league win is one of the most unlikely titles ever won in a major professional sports league. How did they win? The answer lies in a gutsy decision by their coaching staff, and the courage exhibited by their players on the pitch.
How big a deal was the Leicester City league win? It was unprecedented, the stuff of Hollywood movies. “What Leicester have done is shown the rest of Europe that fairytales can still happen in football.”, said former player and television commentator Gary Neville.
Leicester City had barely avoided relegation in the previous season, finishing 14th after a miraculous escape from the bottom of the table. Under the management of Nigel Pearson, they had shown resilience, but the 2015-2016 season brought a new chapter under the leadership of Claudio Ranieri.
His appointment in the summer of 2015 was met with skepticism, as the Italian had a reputation for being a “Tinkerman” with a history of near-misses in his managerial career. But Ranieri had plans for his underdog team. His strategy proved to be brilliant.
Leicester City League Winning Team
From the outset under Ranieri, Leicester City demonstrated an unorthodox style of play that leveraged their strengths. They played a high-energy, counter-attacking brand of football, with players like Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez becoming central figures in their ascent. Vardy, a striker with a non-league background, was relentless in his pursuit of goals and set a Premier League record by scoring in 11 consecutive matches.
Mahrez, an Algerian winger, dazzled with his dribbling and creativity, eventually winning the PFA Player of the Year award. The season started positively for Leicester, and by Christmas, they were at the top of the table. Their performances were not seen as sustainable by many, who predicted they would falter as the more established clubs gained momentum.
However, Leicester’s form did not dip. Their defense, marshaled by captain Wes Morgan and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, remained steadfast, while N’Golo Kanté, a summer signing from French club Caen, was a revelation in midfield with his relentless work rate and ball-winning capabilities.
As the season progressed, the Foxes faced their toughest tests against the traditional top clubs. Victories over Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, and Chelsea bolstered their belief and began to shift public opinion. Could they possibly win the Premier League? The possibility of Leicester winning the league, once a fantasy, became a tangible reality.
Each passing week saw Leicester defy the odds, maintaining their position at the summit of the league. The pivotal moment came on May 2, 2016, when Chelsea drew 2-2 with Tottenham Hotspur, mathematically ensuring Leicester City’s title win. The reaction was euphoric; Leicester had won the league against odds as high as 5000-1 at the start of the season.
This triumph was not just a victory on the pitch but a triumph of team spirit, astute management, and tactical acumen. It was a story that captured the imagination of football fans worldwide, as a modest club toppled the giants of English football. Indeed, Leicester City was the league winning team.
Leicester’s title win had a significant impact beyond the immediate celebrations. It prompted reflections on the competitiveness and unpredictability of the Premier League, showcasing that with the right blend of talent, strategy, and determination, any team could achieve greatness. The Foxes’ success also brought attention to the importance of scouting and player development, as many of their key players were relatively unknown before the season began.
For Leicester to win the league, it proved to many skeptical fans that anything is possible in one of the most competitive leagues in the world. A Leicester City premier league win once seemed impossible, but it proved to be a reality. Striker Vardy summed up the feeling of the team following their success: “It means everything to me and to all the lads. We’ve taken each game as it comes, and now we’ve done it”, Vardy said.
Leicester City’s Unprecedented Triumph in the 2015-2016 Premier League
The 2015-2016 Premier League season was a historic and unprecedented triumph for Leicester City, a club that had been perennial underdogs in English football. This season saw Leicester win the Premier League in a fashion that stunned fans, pundits, and players alike, challenging the traditional dominance of football giants.
The Leicester City FC 2015-2016 season was a remarkable chapter in football history. Leicester City’s ascent to the pinnacle of English football was a testament to their collective effort and resilience. Leicester’s win of the Premier League title was not just a statement of fact, but a story of hope and inspiration, reminding the sporting world that the underdog can, indeed, triumph against all odds.
