Claudio Ranieri left the pitch in tears on Sunday afternoon as his Leicester City side went 10 points clear at the top of the table following their 2-0 win over Sunderland.
The victory at the Stadium of Light took the Foxes onto 72 points, meaning they could not finish any lower than fifth in the Premier League which books a place in the group stage of the Europa League.
They were eventually guaranteed a top-four place and Champions League spot later in the evening following Tottenham’s 3-0 win over Manchester United.
Claudio Ranieri in tears as Leicester inch closer to Premier League title https://t.co/Hq6adLt8uA pic.twitter.com/T7nqZ8slwa
— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) April 10, 2016
Leicester City last played in Europe in the 2000-01 UEFA Cup, and have never previously gone beyond the first round in continental competition in three campaigns.
More importantly, Sunday’s victory is a huge step towards completing a miraculous Premier League title triumph
Two goals from Jamie Vardy secured all three points in a cagey game in the North East, and the relief of the victory was evident on the face of their Italian manager.
The former Chelsea boss took to the pitch at the final whistle to congratulate his players as the emotion of Leicester’s imminent achievement overcame the 64-year-old.
Speaking after the culmination of the game, Ranieri was keen to thank the travelling Leicester City fans.
“It’s amazing just. I want to say thank you to everybody who came,” said Ranieri in his post-match interview.
“Nobody could have believed we would be in this position – but now we have to fight and fight.”
Vardy’s brace took him second in the Premier League’s top goalscorer standings, and Ranieri was quick to praise the 29-year-old’s impact on Leicester City’s season.
“It’s good he scored with the national team and now he scores with us, he has been important.”
Jose Mourinho, who replaced Ranieri at Chelsea in 2004 and has often been critical of the Italian’s grasp of the English language, told Sky Sports News the Leicester City boss deserved to win the title.
“When Prince William is saying he would love Leicester to win it, I am nobody to say anything,” Mourinho told Sky Sports News.
“I think his (Ranieri’s) career deserves that.
“He is a good man who I respect. In spite of bad words, he knows I like him very much and I would like him to win.”
Leicester City’s debut appearance in Europe came in the 1961-62 European Cup Winners’ Cup, when they beat Glenavon in the preliminary round before losing 3-1 on aggregate by Atletico Madrid in the first round. They then lost to Atletico again, 4-1 on aggregate, in the 1997-98 UEFA Cup.
In 2000-01, they were knocked out 4-2 on aggregate by Red Star Belgrade.
Leicester are now assured of their place in the Champions League playoff round after United lose at Tottenham in Sunday’s later fixture, but they will have to wait until next weekend to confirm their place in the group stage proper via a top-three finish.
If Leicester win the Premier League they will be seeded in next season’s Champions League group stage draw along with the champions of Spain, Germany, Italy, France, Portugal, Russia and the title holders.
