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Ranieri labels Leicester ‘Forrest Gump’
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LEICESTER manager Claudio Ranieri has labeled the surprise leader as the Premier League’s Forrest Gump.
Ranieri’s side is in first place at Christmas just 12 months after being bottom of the table and the former Chelsea boss wants Leicester to maintain its pace at the top, likening its stamina to Tom Hanks’ film character Forrest Gump, who ran across America.
“I am very confident because Leicester, last season, saved themselves in the last two months and that means the stamina is fantastic. Why can’t we continue to run, run, run? We are like Forrest Gump” the colorful Italian said.
“The players know we are doing well but we haven’t achieved anything.
“If I understand correctly, Leicester were never top of the league at this time so we are very happy. When the manager and the players make the fans happy then this is fantastic.”
The Foxes, beaten just once this season, can cement their position as shock title challenger when they travel to Liverpool tomorrow and then host Manchester City on Tuesday.
Leicester will beat Ranieri’s pre-season points target of 40 with a win at Anfield and if it does that he will sit down with his players to re-evaluate its ambitions.
“I am very proud for my players and for my fans. It is fantastic but we have to work some more,” Ranieri said. “Now they are dreaming and I don’t want to wake them up.”
Leicester was considered foolish for plucking Ranieri from the ranks of unemployed coaches to replace Pearson in July. It had been 11 years since he had managed in England with Chelsea, during which he was often labeled “The Tinkerman” for constantly changing the starting lineup, and he had been out of work since an embarrassing spell in charge of the Greece national team.
“I am waiting for when people change my nickname from ‘Tinkerman’ to ‘Thinkerman,’” quipped Ranieri, whose avuncular and calm demeanor contrasts with the league’s more erratic coaches.
One thing Ranieri does not own up to thinking about is lifting the trophy for the world’s richest soccer competition in May.
“I think we aren’t ready to fight to be champion,” he said. In the offseason, Leicester’s net spending of around US$30 million was one sixth of Manchester City’s outlay.
“We don’t have the high quality like City, Arsenal, but we fight together,” Ranieri said. “Every ball for us is the last ball. That’s what we believe.”
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