Gianluca Vialli hails Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri as one of football's 'immortals'
Friday 6 May 2016 17:39, UK
Gianluca Vialli says Claudio Ranieri is now one of football's 'immortals' after leading Leicester to an unlikely Premier League title.
The Foxes were crowned champions for the first time in their 132 year history on Monday night, capping a fairy tale season for the club and Ranieri.
Ranieri was immediately installed as one of the bookmakers' favourite for the sack following his appointment as Nigel Pearson's successor last summer.
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But the Italian responded by masterminding an astonishing rise to the top for his side and Vialli believes his achievement will never be forgotten.
"To win the Premier League at the age of 64 at a club like Leicester, he is now one of the immortals in football," he told Sky Sports News HQ. "It will be remembered forever and in Italy, obviously the whole country has been pushing and supporting him."
Leicester will be presented with the Premier League trophy following their match against Everton at the King Power Stadium on Saturday Night Football.
Vialli added: "I might be biased, but I think if you own a football club and you choose an Italian manager, you know great things might happen. I think choosing Claudio at the beginning of the season was a fantastic choice and it was like a marriage made in heaven.
"Leicester brought the best out of Claudio and Claudio brought the best out of the club and the players. I think they are the worthy champions.
"In the Premier League no one remembers how to defend properly, but Leicester do and they play the most effective, spectacular, counter attacking football in Europe. So, they have been fantastic and deserve to be the winners."
