Jubilant with his side's maiden Premier League title, LeicesterCity manager Claudio Ranieri has heaped praised on his players' determination and focus that led his side to the recent glory.
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LeicesterCity, a small club from central England that started the season at 5000-1 odds of winning the prestigious English Premier League title, lifted their maiden trophy in the club's 132-year history after Tottenham Hotspurs were held to a 1-1 draw by Chelsea in their league clash at StamfordBridge.
"Just after the final whistle, I got a call from Ranieri," Hiddink, Chelsea's interim manager, told his post-match press conference.
"He called us and thanked us for what we did, especially in the second half. I congratulated him for being champion.
"I think they deserve it. It might be not a surprise anymore, but maybe a shock for the established clubs that they did so well. They didn't implode. There was no tension when they started smelling the title. That's why I think they deserve the title."
Asked if Ranieri, who cried on the pitch following Leicester's recent 2-0 win at Sunderland, had sounded emotional, Hiddink replied: "Yeah. I didn't see any tears because it was not a Facetime conversation.
"But his voice was trembling a bit. Five times, (he said) thanks. Because the emotion is going up."
Ranieri, who is amazed after winning the trophy, said he is extremely proud of his players who kept their feet on the ground throughout their journey to glory, the Mirror reported.
The 64-year-old, who described himself as a ‘pragmatic’ man, revealed his strategy was just to focus on one match at a time and help his players to improve with each passing week.
Ranieri further insisted that his title-winners deserve to be the champions as they had fought for the crown in every game.
The genial Italian will get his hands on the first league title of his 30-year managerial career on Saturday after Leicester's final and now inconsequential home game against Everton.
