Football (or soccer as it is referred to in the US) in Britain has a close affiliation that goes deeper than the physical aspect of sport. It breeds an inherent, intrusive bond that few things in life can simulate, able to form an emotional attachment that goes further than kicking a ball into a net.one of the biggest shocks in sport as a whole came to an epic climax as minnows Leicester City produced one of the most endearing fairytales in history to win the Premier League title.

To put this achievement in brief, before the start of this season Leicester were 5000-1 odds to win the title, which makes the feat the biggest payoff in sporting history, eclipsing a whole host of underdog stories across the years that have threatened to challenge the capitalist nature of professional football.

Leicester City's Premier League title has set a new standard for the whole of football and provided "inspiration for the whole world", says the club's vice-chairman.

What makes this achievement so special is the nature in which it was produced; the season before Leicester only just survived relegation to the second tier of English football and were widely expected to falter this current season with a bunch of players who were in all honesty, bang average. The coach was changed from the aggressive British Nigel Pearson to the consummate subdued Italian Claudio Ranieri, which was greeted by the press and fans in a negative light.

They were favourites for relegation, only really adding the tenacious N’Golo Kanté to bolster the midfield and relying on the same squad that narrowly escaped the drop. Ranieri was seen as a has-been, never able to win a league title in his 30 years as a coach and humiliatingly nicknamed ‘The Tinkerman’ due to his constant chopping and changing of lineups.


In a rare interview with BBC sports editor Dan Roan, Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha - the son of billionaire club owner and chairman Vichai - also talked about his family's future plans for the club.

He also spoke of his relationship with "special" manager Claudio Ranieri and striker Jamie Vardy.

Srivaddhanaprabha Sr owns the King Power duty free chain which lends its name to the club's stadium. The family have rarely spoken publicly since taking over the club in 2010.

In the wide-ranging BBC Sport interview, his son reveals:

Ranieri was the first choice for the job;
He thought it was "funny" when scouts asked for permission to sign Vardy from a non-league club;
Next season's first target remains Premier League survival, despite going into it as champions;
He never believed they would win the league - but hoped to one day reach Champions League;
Promises to add "quality players";
Says the aim is now "to stay in Premier League as long as we can";
Questions why any player would now want to leave the club.