Ten years have passed since Leicester City’s unforgettable return to the Premier League in the 2014/15 season, and what a decade it has been. From the brink of relegation to an astonishing title triumph, the Foxes will be hoping to maintain their top-flight status this season, despite the Premier League betting odds tipping the Championship wins for relegation due to their potential points deduction.
It’s been a fairytale journey for those on Filbert Street. They have shown over the opening weeks of the Premier League season that they can still compete amongst the big boys, and while they lost Enzo Maresca to Chelsea, Steve Cooper will be hoping his side have enough character to beat the drop this time around.
As Leicester look to avoid a return to the Championship, we reflect on their side from the 2014/15 season – known for producing one of the greatest escapes from relegation in Premier League history.
Ensuring promotion
In the 2012/13 season, Leicester’s promotion dreams were shattered most dramatically by Watford’s Troy Deeney, whose last-gasp goal in the Championship play-off semi-final left the Foxes heartbroken.
It was a crushing blow but also sparked a butterfly effect for one of the sport’s most outstanding achievements. Determined not to feel that embarrassment again, Leicester returned more stronger and focused in the 2013/14 season, dominating the Championship to secure promotion as league champions under Nigel Pearson’s guidance.
A tough start to the top flight
Leicester’s first season back in the Premier League was anything but smooth. The squad, though full of spirit and fight, was largely seen as lacking the quality needed to compete at the highest level. The opening weeks were a harsh reality check, with Leicester struggling to find their footing. Early losses mounted, and the Foxes found themselves languishing at the bottom of the table, with little signs of any hope for survival.
A turnaround against United
One of the highlights of Leicester’s season came in September 2014, when they pulled off a stunning 5-3 victory over Manchester United at the King Power Stadium.
It was a game that announced their arrival back in the big time and hinted at the potential within their squad. Jamie Vardy showed the tenacity and pace that would soon make him a household name, while Riyad Mahrez displayed the flair and creativity that would later become his trademark.
This win proved they could compete with the very best, having gone behind twice to turn the game around against a United side that was littered with quality –Wayne Rooney, Robin Van Persie, Radamel Falcao and Angel Di Maria all playing for the Red Devils.
Loss of form
Following that thrilling win over United, Leicester’s season took a downward turn. Wins became increasingly rare, and by the time the March international break arrived, the Foxes were rooted to the bottom of the table. The pressure on Pearson was immense, and questions were being raised about whether Leicester could survive in the Premier League.
The Great Escape
As the season entered its final stretch, the East Midlands outfit produced one of the most remarkable comebacks in Premier League history.
With just weeks left of the season, the Foxes embarked on a sensational run of form, winning seven of their last nine games to escape the drop.
The experience and leadership of players like Esteban Cambiasso, who had previously won the Champions League with Inter Milan, and captain Wes Morgan were instrumental in this turnaround, while Pearson’s tactical adjustments kept the goals out of a defence that was previously inexperienced and leaky.
Leicester’s incredible escape from relegation was dubbed “The Great Escape” and it provided a foundation of belief that would carry over into the next season.
After narrowly avoiding relegation, Leicester parted ways with Pearson later that summer, bringing in Claudio Ranieri as his replacement.
Ranieri largely inherited the same squad, but with crucial additions like N’Golo Kanté and Shinji Okazaki and the continued rise of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, the Foxes were poised for something extraordinary.
Defying 5000/1 odds, they achieved the unthinkable by winning the Premier League in 2016, completing one of the greatest upsets in sports history.
