Ranieri reflects on dream 2016

Claudio Ranieri says 2016 was the ‘best’ year of his career after his Leicester side clinched the Premier League title last season.

The Foxes are struggling in the lower reaches of the top flight this campaign, but that has done nothing to dispel Ranieri’s delight that his hard work had finally paid off after so many decades in management. 

“I never won a [league] title before, so for this reason it’s the best [year],” he told Sky Sports. “But I also can’t forget where I started from, like Jamie Vardy [who began in non-league] and I slowly, slowly climbed through the leagues and after 30 years I won the title. It means I worked so hard, and for this reason I’m very pleased. 

“I’m also pleased with a lot of people from the club and the chairman because I wanted to come back to England. I love the spirit, the atmosphere and everything around the football here. 

“When I arrived I met the people in Leicester and felt a fantastic electricity. The chairman always gave us a lot of positive energy, which is important for the manager and all the staff around me. It was an amazing, amazing year.”

Ranieri has built up a close bond with his playing squad at Leicester, and said the relationship he had with his team was a key part of their surge towards the title.

Discussing his philosophy, the Italian said he likes to treat his players like men as well as footballers, while not pinning blame on them for any mistakes.

“I’m not friends with my players but I am very close with them,” he said. “It’s my character, when I speak with the …

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