Overview of Totally Extra: When Leicester were kings of England
This episode of The Athletic’s Totally Football Show (Totally Extra) revisits Leicester City’s extraordinary 2015–16 Premier League title — the 5,000/1 fairy tale. Hosts James Richardson, with guests Duncan Alexander, Rob Tanner (author of 5001-to-1: The Leicester City Story) and Leicester fan/podcaster Jordan Halford, unpack how a club tipped for relegation became English champions, the characters and decisions behind it, the weird cultural moments around the run, and the aftermath.
Episode structure & guests
- Host: James Richardson (The Athletic)
- Guests: Duncan Alexander (The Athletic), Rob Tanner (The Athletic; author of 5001-to-1), Jordan Halford (Big Strong Leicester Boys podcast; Leicester fan)
- Format: Conversation-driven retrospective with historical anecdotes, stats, fan memories and a short quiz from Duncan answered at the end.
Key takeaways
- Leicester’s title was a perfect storm: smart low-cost recruitment, outstanding form from a tight first XI, Ranieri’s steadying influence, weaker/transitioning rivals, and a run of improbable momentum.
- The season was rooted in continuity: many of the players and underlying numbers had been present in the “great escape” 2014–15 season — the club improved enormously without a wholesale squad rebuild.
- Scouting and recruitment (Steve Walsh and the recruitment team) were central: inexpensive or free signings (Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez, N’Golo Kanté, Shinji Okazaki, Christian Fuchs) became world-class or key contributors.
- The achievement remains historically singular: Leicester improved points-per-game by more than one point from one top-flight season to the next — an unprecedented jump under modern comparisons.
- The fairytale had a bittersweet aftermath: Ranieri’s later sacking, Champions League struggles, the 2018 helicopter tragedy (owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha), financial and sporting ups/downs, relegation scares later, and an FA Cup win under Brendan Rodgers.
Timeline & notable moments (highlights)
- 2014–15: Leicester survive a long spell at the bottom (140 days) and forge the base of the following season’s squad; Richard III reburial (March 2015) coincided with a late-season upturn that fans loved to mythologize.
- Summer 2015: Nigel Pearson sacked after a controversy; Claudio Ranieri appointed (seen initially as a bizarre choice).
- Early 2015–16: Strong start — only one defeat in the first nine matches; defensive solidity and tight selection (Ranieri made only 33 starting XI changes all season).
- Jamie Vardy: scored in 11 consecutive league matches (Aug–Nov 2015), became the season’s cutting edge. His backstory (non-league to Premier League star) was emblematic of Leicester’s narrative.
- Riyad Mahrez & Kanté: crucial creative and midfield engines; Mahrez’s ball-skill and Kanté’s extraordinary ball recoveries drove transitions.
- March–April 2016: Crystal Palace away felt like the moment belief solidified; Spurs’ collapse (2–2 at Chelsea on May 2) sealed Leicester’s title.
- Title celebration: Andrea Bocelli singing at the King Power as champions; local seismic activity reported after key goals (captured in local data).
- Post-title: Champions League nights, Ranieri’s dismissal (Feb 2017), then Shakespeare’s short revival, owner’s death in 2018 helicopter crash, later financial issues and inconsistent results, and FA Cup win (2021).
Squad, recruitment and finances
- Recruitment team (Steve Walsh) identified undervalued players. Stories cited:
- Jamie Vardy: £1m transfer from Fleetwood Town; previously non-league.
- Riyad Mahrez: roughly £450k signing (from Le Havre/Le Havre’s reserves), initially underestimated.
- N’Golo Kanté: signed from Caen; later sold to Chelsea.
- Shinji Okazaki: example of the club’s larger purchase that season (~£7m).
- Many players were free or low-cost signings; the squad ethos and camaraderie (no cliques, shared rituals) mattered.
- Stability: only around 15 players had more than three league starts; the regularity of the XI and fitness (few changes) helped consistency.
Ranieri’s role, tactics and atmosphere
- Management: Ranieri’s arrival was modestly received but his man-management, simplicity and respect for the existing setup were key. He kept the basics and made minor but effective tweaks.
- Tactics: a back-to-basics 4-4-2/compact defensive block that absorbed pressure and counter-attacked at pace with Vardy and Mahrez the main outlets.
- Dressing-room culture: unity, rituals (shared nights out), moments of lightness (viral training-ground antics), and Ranieri’s human touch (pizza promise, “bell” anecdote) reinforced morale.
Cultural & memorable anecdotes
- 5,000/1 odds: bookmakers’ famous long-shot; many early season bets and club memorabilia used the figure.
- Jamie Vardy’s prolific streak and celebration culture (e.g., “chat s*** get banged”, Red Bull anecdote).
- The “Richard III”/medieval coincidences fans joked about (reburial, King Power sponsor, etc.).
- Andrea Bocelli at the title celebration; seismic readings after goal celebrations.
- Viral moments: Mahrez’s wonder goals, Vardy’s non-league-to-Prem star arc, club social media moments (e.g., the “if you’re just joining us” tweet when Robert Huth was on a hat-trick).
Aftermath & legacy
- Short-term: European nights, higher expectations, squad strain, Ranieri’s eventual sacking during a poor following season.
- Long-term: mixed fortunes — FA Cup triumph, two relegations since, the tragic death of owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and financial pressures. Leicester’s achievement remains a touchstone for underdog lore in sport.
- Perspective: panel consensus — probably a once-in-a-generation story; practically improbable to replicate, but sport is why fans hope.
Notable quotes & soundbites
- “It was a perfect marriage between the underdog club and the underdog manager.” — Jordan Halford
- Ranieri’s lighthearted image: “Dilly-din, dilly-dong… I buy to them a little bell,” recalled by Danny Drinkwater.
- “Leicester are pound-for-pound champions” (a nod to the club’s enduring entertainment value despite fluctuations).
Bonus — Duncan’s quiz (answered on the episode)
Duncan asked for the “first-time winners” of top domestic leagues between Nottingham Forest’s 1978 title and Leicester’s 2016 title, in France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Scotland:
- France — Montpellier (2012)
- Germany — VfL Wolfsburg (2009)
- Spain — Deportivo La Coruña (2000)
- Italy — Sampdoria (1991)
- Scotland — Dundee United (1983)
Recommended further listening/reading
- Rob Tanner — book: 5001-to-1: The Leicester City Story
- Big Strong Leicester Boys podcast (Jordan Halford)
- The Athletic’s coverage and features on Leicester’s season and squad analysis
Summary verdict: this episode is a concise, affectionate and detail-rich retrospective that weaves tactical, statistical and cultural threads to explain why Leicester’s 2015–16 title is not just improbable but also uniquely memorable — and why it still matters to football fans.