In the echoing corridors of the King Power Stadium, where Premier League survival once again hangs in the balance, the ghosts of Leicester City’s past whisper tales of improbable redemption. Under Ruud van Nistelrooy, the Foxes find themselves embroiled in another relegation battle, their performances catching the attention for all the wrong reasons.
Perilously looming above the bottom three, it’s a strange time to be a fan in the East Midlands. Losing Enzo Maresca hurt, and the fragilities exposed by his departure with each passing defeat draws the club closer to a return to the Championship after just one season back in the top flight.
A decade ago, Leicester stood at a similar crossroads, though few could have imagined the extraordinary journey that would unfold.
That season’s great escape didn’t just preserve Premier League status – it laid the foundation for perhaps football’s greatest fairy tale, a story that would reshape our understanding of what’s possible in the modern game – winning the title and FA Cup over a glorious period for the club.
Spring 2015 found Leicester City marooned at the Premier League’s foot, seven points adrift of safety with nine games remaining. The same stadium that would later reverberate with Andrea Bocelli serenades, title parades, and Champions League anthems seemed destined for Championship football. Yet, within those concrete walls, something remarkable was stirring.
In this article, we reflect on an incredible journey experienced by Leicester’s fans throughout one of the greatest escapes in Premier League history, and how that momentum lifted them to the title the following season.
To understand the magnitude of Leicester’s escape, one must first appreciate the depths from which they climbed.
The previous season’s promotion euphoria had long since evaporated, replaced by the harsh reality of Premier League football.
Nigel Pearson’s side showed flashes of quality but lacked consistency, their position reflecting a cruel pattern of narrow defeats and missed opportunities.
The nadir came in a rain-soaked defeat to Crystal Palace, leaving the Foxes seemingly destined for relegation. The press had written their obituaries, pundits had dissected their shortcomings, and even the most ardent supporters struggled to see a path to survival.
Yet within this apparent hopelessness lay the seeds of something extraordinary. The squad Pearson had assembled – featuring names like Jamie Vardy, Kasper Schmeichel, and Wes Morgan – possessed a resilience that transcended their league position.
These players, while not yet household names or Premier League cult heroes, weren’t merely teammates; they were brothers in arms, forged in the crucible of adversity.
The revival began not with tactical revolution but with spiritual awakening. A last-minute winner at home to West Ham United sparked belief, transforming months of frustration into fuel for rebellion against their seemingly ordained fate.
What followed was a run of form that defied logic and rewrote possibilities. Seven victories in nine games represented more than just points accumulated – it was a testament to human spirit, to the power of collective belief over statistical probability.
The wins themselves told individual stories of heroism. A 3-2 victory over West Bromwich Albion, secured through Vardy’s lightning pace and predatory instinct – a sign of things to come next term.
The 2-0 triumph against Southampton, where Schmeichel’s goalkeeping artistry preserved precious points. Each match added another chapter to an increasingly incredible tale.
It all came down to the final day of the season. The 5-1 thrashing of Queens Park Rangers wasn’t just a win—it was a release, a moment of pure joy after months of uncertainty. The King Power Stadium erupted, not just in relief, but in sheer appreciation of a survival story that felt almost unbelievable.
They say that a Premier League team is often a personification of its manager, shaping its identity on and off the pitch. The Foxes, once defined by Pearson’s grit and survival instincts, took a bold step in the summer of 2015 by replacing him with Claudio Ranieri.
Calm, composed, and welcoming, Ranieri brought a different energy—one that transformed the Foxes from relegation battlers into unlikely title contenders and football odds shockers, proving that resilience could be paired with belief and freedom to create something extraordinary.
Leicester’s escape resonated beyond mere sporting achievement. In a city proud of its multicultural heritage and working-class roots, the team’s refusal to accept their fate struck a chord with the community’s own resilience. Each victory became a shared experience, binding together diverse communities in collective hope. That momentum carried into the next season – transforming their 5000/1 Premier League title odds from mathematical improbability to historic reality.
In today’s Premier League landscape, where financial might often dictates destiny, Leicester’s story remains a beacon of hope. It reminds us that football’s greatest stories aren’t always written by the wealthy or the favoured, but by those who dare to dream beyond their circumstances.
