OPINION: Things can change very quickly in the fickle world of football… just ask Claudio Ranieri. The merits, or otherwise, of his unceremonious dumping have been well-documented.
But all eyes were on the men he left behind, as they returned home to take on Liverpool. The heroes of a story that defied logic and gave hope to all of us who cling on, with frayed fingernails, to the notion of romance in sport.
If media reports are to be believed, the Leicester players had a key influence on the departure of the humble Italian. And following a resounding victory over Jurgen Klopp’s stumbling reds, it’s difficult to believe otherwise.
Given a generous welcome by the King Power faithful, who must surely be struggling to comprehend everything that’s happened in the last two years, there were smatterings of Ranieri thank-you messages in the crowd – but certainly no vitriol, anger or venom directed at a desperately under-performing unit.
It was a reflection of the integrity that still runs through the veins of most UK football fans, who are often over-charged and under-represented by the decisions of faceless, merciless, millionaire chairmen, with absolutely no interest in the history and tradition of the so-called ‘beautiful game’.
And what unfolded in the next 90-plus minutes merely confirmed my suspicions - that the Leicester players lack spine and any sense of loyalty.
Suddenly, the team were galvanised from the first whistle. Jamie Vardy finally came to the party, snapping into a 50-50 with Liverpool talisman Sadio Mane within 30 seconds of the first whistle that left the Senegalese in a heap on the floor and set the tone.
Leicester were everywhere… charging into tackles, desperately contesting the second ball and never allowing the Reds to settle. At half-time they were 2-0 up and it could have been more.
By the end of a surreal evening, they’d won 3-1 and moved up to 15th in the table. Next up are Hull, at home again, and who’s to say they won’t give 100 per cent in that match as well?
I bet they do…
Because suddenly the players give a monkey’s. That performance was always in the locker. You don’t suddenly transform from a winning machine into a laughing stock without a substantial drop in mental toughness and dedication.
Admittedly, things weren’t going well for Leicester. Not one win in the EPL this year and a seemingly unstoppable freefall into the bottom three. And yes, Ranieri made mistakes with some of his signings and perhaps lacked the ability to generate a fear factor that players often need to galvanise them.
But that’s the point, you see. Suddenly, the responsibility was with the players – they’d got their wish. Another crap team effort and the microscope would be focused directly on their application, work ethic and desire. And what happens… they finally discover all three.
I don’t think Ranieri would be angry… in fact, he was probably delighted with their escape from the relegation zone - but that’s exactly my point. He only wanted the best for his players. Shame they didn’t feel the same about the guy who helped them into the history books.
