Leicester City were quoted at 5000-1 to win the Premiership at the beginning of the season. Meanwhile, defending champions, Chelsea were imploding and fired their manager Jose Mourhino half way through the season and finished a mediocre 11th. Manchester City announced to the world in February that Pepe Guardiola would be taking over as manager next season, and needless to say their form dipped alarmingly.
Tottenham Hotspur promised a new dawn for their beleaguered fans who had not witnessed the team winning the title for 55 years. They were in a great position to push Leicester all the way, but fell away as usual picking up a meager two points from their last four games. The final game of the season was an embarrassment to the club and their supporters, losing 1-5 to Newcastle who were already relegated.
A record eleven managers were sacked during or at season end; including Gary Monk of Swansea City. He began the season impressively winning the opener at Manchester United and achieving a credible draw against reigning Champions Chelsea. Unfortunately a run of eleven games without a win in mid season proved to be his downfall. The Swans took their time in appointing a new manager (six weeks.) Rumors were rife that former manager Brendan Rodgers was returning to the club, Chairman Huw Jenkins had flown to South America in pursuit of a savior, but out of the blue they hired a virtually unknown Italian, Francisco Guidolin.
Guidolin was given a contract until the end of the season, but spent the first couple of weeks of his tenure in hospital with a lung infection. Club legend Alan Curtis was left holding the reins until the Italian was well enough to return, and secured a shocking but welcome away win at Arsenal which proved to be the turning point of a disappointing season. This was followed by another unexpected away win at Everton, and retention of their Premiership status was almost assured. Nevertheless, they played for most of the season as if they were destined for the Championship. I just hope they revitalize the squad by acquiring some quality players and casting adrift some of the dross that’s accumulated over the past two seasons.
Garry Monk was in exalted company by season end of managers receiving their P45s. Luis Van Gaal won the FA Cup for Manchester United and two days later was sacked, principally for spending a fortune on mediocre players,and playing a turgid system that was alien to the United style of attacking football with flair. He was compensated somewhat by walking away with a 5 million pound payoff in his back pocket.
Sam Allardyce proved once again he is the master evader of the big drop by saving Sunderland with a few points to spare. He has the distinction of never been relegated when managing several clubs that hovered over the abyss. Newcastle, Norwich and hapless Aston Villa were the three clubs relegated and replaced by Burnley, Middlesbrough and Hull City. Burnley and Hull City are the proverbial yo-yos vying with promotion and relegation over the last few seasons.
But Leicester City made this a season never to forget and probably never to be repeated. This was definitely a team effort adopting a basically simple 4-4-2 system, but playing to their strengths of soaking up punishment and counter attacking. Claduio Raneiri, their Italian manager” transformed from the “tinkerman” into the “thinkerman.” They were extremely lucky with injuries and were fortunate to make minimum changes throughout the season.
I believe it’s fair to say that the juggernauts of the Premiership, Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal, all underperformed for one reason or another, and were incapable of challenging Leicester City for the title. Tottenham were once again the great pretenders and flattered to deceive in the final furlong. Leicester City ultimately won the title in a canter by 10 points. What odds would you give them for winning the Champions League or being relegated next season????
