Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterFour Four TwoGet FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member features.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.You are now subscribedYour newsletter sign-up was successfulWant to add more newsletters?Five times a weekFourFourTwo DailyFantastic football content straight to your inbox! From the latest transfer news, quizzes, videos, features and interviews with the biggest names in the game, plus lots more.Signup +Once a week...And its LIVE!Sign up to our FREE live football newsletter, tracking all of the biggest games available to watch on the device of your choice. Never miss a kick-off!Signup +Join the clubGet full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in.Subscribe to our newsletterWhen Claudio Ranieri took over a Leicester City side that had just finished 14th in the Premier League in July 2015, most expected the Italian to be overseeing another battle against the drop.This included the bookmakers, who grouped the Foxes in with the longest of longshots when it came to challenging for the title. What happened over the next nine months was one of footballs greatest fairytales.But for Ranieri, the foundations of Leicesters miracle season were laid before he arrived in the East Midlands. You may like Leicester City legend Claudio Ranieri reveals the key player to 2016 title win Claudio Ranieri reveals how he celebrated Leicester City's Premier League title Former Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri recalls a memorable phone call from Sir Alex Ranieri on Leicesters miracle triumphI went there with real determination, the Italian tells FourFourTwo. From the very beginning, the chairman asked me to reach 40 points, and I kept hammering that message home all the way through the season.That was the target. Well, at least until a certain stage, then I had to adjust my aim slightly!Ranieri admits that his appointment was not universally approved, following his short-lived stint as Greece boss.At the start there was scepticism about me, he continues. Apparently the bookmakers were offering 5,000-1 on us winning the title and considered it more likely that aliens would land, the Loch Ness Monster would appear, that Elvis Presley was still alive, or that Bono would be elected as Pope. I know this because somebody told me I dont read newspapers, so I didnt even realise.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.I was welcomed in a truly wonderful way. The scepticism of a few people didnt bother me I didnt even know about it. All I know is that when I saw the boys in training, I was astonished. I could see incredible determination in the way they worked.This came courtesy of Ranieris predecessor Nigel Pearson, who had masterminded a successful battle against the drop.The miraculous relegation survival at the end of the previous season gave them confidence, and the work done by my predecessor Nigel Pearson had been excellent, Ranieri adds. What to read next Leicester City legend on memorable celebration with David Beckham following famous 2016 title win Leicester could mark 10-year anniversary of Premier League title in the worst possible way Ex Leicester City star reveals plans for title-winning squad to meet up The lads were in great physical shape. I was very impressed and understood that, by changing only a few things, we could do well. Of course, never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that we could win the league.I watched several matches and led the first training sessions. I immediately realised that Riyad Mahrez starting from the right and cutting inside on to his left foot could be extremely dangerous. On the opposite flank I put Marc Albrighton, who usually played on the right and delivered plenty of crosses, but from the left he too could cut inside and shoot.Danny Drinkwater and Andy King were the two players who provided solidity in midfield. I gradually placed Danny Simpson at right-back, and Christian Fuchs at left-back he was truly ready only after our first defeat, at home to Arsenal in September."Yes, I made some adjustments, but the decisive move was placing NGolo Kante in midfield alongside Drinkwater. That boy was extraordinary. With him, it felt as though we were playing with 12 men. Once, I said I wouldnt have been surprised to see him cross the ball, then head it in himself. He was incredible."TOPICSLeicester CityPremier LeagueJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromDaniele Verri
