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Leicester's historic triumph still resonates a decade later
Ten years after Leicester City's improbable Premier League victory, former players Marc Albrighton and Wes Morgan reflect on the club's greatest achievement while facing the stark contrast of back-to-back relegations.
Chaotic celebrations in police custody
On the night of May 2, 2016, Leicester City secured the Premier League title after Tottenham's draw with Chelsea. The celebrations quickly spiraled into chaos as thousands of fans gathered outside Jamie Vardy's home. Marc Albrighton recounted how he and teammate Ben Chilwell ended up in a police station instead of joining the party.
"My parents tried to drop me at Jamie Vardy's house, but they had to take me to the police station because there were too many fans outside," Albrighton told BBC East Midlands Today. "I found Ben Chilwell already in the custody suite. We were then driven to Vardy's house in a police car, with fans banging on the windows and throwing scarves at us. It felt like being a celebrity."
The 5,000-1 underdog story
Leicester's title win remains one of football's most remarkable underdog stories. The team, which had narrowly avoided relegation the previous season and had only returned to the Premier League after a decade-long absence, defied odds of 5,000-1 to claim the championship.
"Ten years on, I don't think a day goes by without someone mentioning it," Albrighton said. "That shows how significant the achievement was."
Wes Morgan, the title-winning captain, echoed the sentiment, calling the victory "beyond my wildest dreams." He added, "If you consider Leicester's position-having not been in the top flight for so long and just avoiding relegation the season before-it has to be one of the greatest sporting achievements ever."
From triumph to turmoil
The milestone anniversary is bittersweet for Leicester fans. After back-to-back relegations, the club will play in League One next season, just the second time in its history it has competed in English football's third tier.
Morgan acknowledged the club's struggles but insisted the title win should still be celebrated. "I don't think it will taint what we did," he said. "Regardless of what's happened since, the club, the fans, and everyone involved will always cherish that moment."
The team that shocked the world
The core of Leicester's title-winning squad included players like Jamie Vardy, Kasper Schmeichel, Danny Drinkwater, Riyad Mahrez, and N'Golo Kanté, who joined the club from Caen for around £6 million in 2015. Other key signings, such as Christian Fuchs and Robert Huth, bolstered a team that had narrowly escaped relegation under Nigel Pearson.
Claudio Ranieri, appointed as manager in 2015, brought a sense of joy and humor to the role. His quirky traditions, like rewarding clean sheets with pizza and his "dilly ding, dilly dong" catchphrase, endeared him to fans and players alike.
Despite Ranieri's sacking the following season, his legacy as the architect of Leicester's fairytale triumph remains intact.
A legacy that endures
As Leicester prepares for life in League One, the memories of 2016 serve as a reminder of what the club once achieved. For players like Albrighton and Morgan, the title win is a moment that transcends the club's current struggles.
"It's sad and hurtful to see where Leicester are now," Morgan admitted. "But the achievement itself definitely needs to be celebrated, talked about, and enjoyed."
