Leicester City’s Premier League title win is a tale for the ages—a story of triumph that defied odds of 5000/1, marking perhaps the greatest underdog victory in not only football but all of sports history.
Leicester City were widely predicted to face relegation after sacking Nigel Pearson and replacing him with Claudio Ranieri in the summer of 2015. Ranieri, dubbed “The Tinkerman” for his managerial unpredictability, had just been dismissed by Greece and was considered a risky appointment. Yet, what followed was nothing short of extraordinary. Leicester defied all expectations, amassing 81 points and suffering just three defeats, clinching the Premier League title. Reflecting on that unforgettable season, Leicester legend Robert Huth has shared what made that campaign so bizarre.
Robert Huth admitted that one of the strangest aspects of Leicester City’s Premier League title-winning season was the overwhelming support they received from fans across the league. Speaking on talkSPORT, the former Leicester centre-back revealed that it was surreal how nearly every Premier League supporter was rooting for them. “Probably the best time I’ve had being in football because everyone wanted you to win,” Huth said, reflecting on the remarkable underdog story of the 2015/16 season.
Robert Huth also found it strange that even rival fanbases, including those of Liverpool, were supporting Leicester City during their title run. He shared how, in contrast to the usual banter and rivalry, people actually cheered them on. “Even Liverpool supporters, Tottenham supporters maybe not, but everyone else in the country was supporting you,” Huth said. “It was strange, normally when you fill up a car at a petrol station, you get a bit of rubbish, but it was the opposite. People really wanted you to push on and win the league.”
Reflecting on Leicester’s own mindset, Huth explained that the team’s expectations were humble at first. “We got to 10 games and we’re looking good, then we went to 20 games looking good. Then at one point, we realized what position we were in and pushed for it.” The belief and momentum grew as they realized they were in a genuine title race, culminating in their historic triumph.
Robert Huth also weighed in on Leicester City’s current season, emphasizing that survival in the Championship has to be the primary goal, no matter their past successes. Reflecting on the club’s struggles, he noted, “It looked like there was going to be a points deduction at the start of the season, so not getting one was a good start in itself.” Huth acknowledged that while Leicester’s past glories, including their Premier League title, were monumental, the immediate focus should be ensuring the club remains in the second tier and starts building for the future.
Huth went on to discuss Leicester’s current situation, emphasizing the importance of survival in the Championship. “But where they are at the moment, I think they will take that at the end of the season. You just need to be better than three teams,” he said. Acknowledging the shift in playing style, he added, “It’s not easy for the fans to accept, especially after last year winning so many games and being so positive with their football. Now it’s a bit more defensive, but that’s just the reality. You’ve just got to stay in the league by hook or by crook, whether it’s just by a point or a goal, it doesn’t really matter. The most important thing is staying in the league, and that’s the main thing.”