The Totally Football Show with James Richardson Totally Extra: When Leicester were kings of England
Mar 28, 2026
Jordan Halford, Leicester supporter and podcaster, brings fan recollections and anecdotes. Rob Tanner, Athletic writer and club historian, supplies reporting and behind-the-scenes detail. Duncan Alexander, analyst and trivia obsessive, offers stats and quiz moments. They revisit the 2015-16 title run: scandals, Ranieri’s pizza rituals, bargain signings, Vardy’s rise, the Chelsea–Spurs night and Leicester’s unlikely perfect storm.
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Thailand Scandal Led To Ranieri Appointment
- A mid-July scandal in Thailand (an academy sextape) led to Nigel Pearson's dismissal and opened the door for Claudio Ranieri.
- Rob and Duncan argue Pearson had built much of the squad and might have achieved similar success without the sacking.
Title Built On Tiny Transfer Spend
- Leicester's title built on exceptional recruitment and tiny transfer spend, with Vardy, Mahrez and Kanté costing collectively under £8 million.
- Steve Walsh and scouts found undervalued players like Mahrez, Kanté and Vardy who had to prove themselves and fit the system.
Stability And Fitness Fueled Consistency
- Stability and fitness were critical: Ranieri made only 33 starting XI changes all season, enabling a consistent eleven.
- Fewer injuries and no European fixtures let the same core players start week after week.
