Predicting the unpredictable Leicester City

Aged just 11, with Gary Lineker posters still on my bedroom wall, I had an interview to become Leicestershire’s newest paperboy.

Three questions were posed to my younger self: “What route would I take?” and “Where would I finish?”. Whilst Craig Shakespeare has a more high-profile role than an ‘after-school news deliverer’, it’s fair to assume that he faced two very similar questions by Leicester City’s Thai owners.

Wry Thais

Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and son respectively hold the seats of Chairman and Vice-Chairman. Somehow, they’ve successfully stayed out of all glaring Premier League spotlights.

Despite promotion, the ‘greatest escape’ and the miraculous 2015/16 premiership triumph, few non-Fosse Park frequenters would recognise them, let alone know that in ‘Fantasy Scrabble’, their surname fetches a hefty 32 points.

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It was in May 2014 when, having just secured promotion to the top flight for the first time in a decade, City’s owners quietly stated their chief goal was to finish in the top five of the Premier League. At the time, this seemed ambitious to even the most loyal of Richard III of England’s men.

What now?

How does the recently appointed heir to Claudio Ranieri’s incommensurable reign answer the opening questions?

Craig Shakespeare has been an Assistant Manager at Leicester City for best part of the last decade -bidding adieu only for a brief while as he took a short trip to Hull City with Nigel Pearson – further demonstrating that he has an unparalleled understanding of the entire club.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 21: Craig Shakespeare, manager of Leicester City looks on prior to the Premier League match between Leicester City and AFC Bournemouth at The King Power Stadium on May 21, 2017 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images) /

There is a line of thought quietly spoken in corners of the King Power Stadium – that he was the power behind the throne and masterminded their recent success – but keep that to yourself.

Being one of the few constants during the golden years, explaining how he’d manage Leicester City this season would be easy; considerably more difficult is explaining to his employers where their team will finish this season.

Differing expectations

Derisory fans outside of the Fox-friendly part of England say bottom three or at best, the relegation fight. Those of a kinder disposition will say mid table – but would this do?

Leicester City may again play with shackles off, without burden of expectations or commitment of European football. It could be argued that they can again be “fearless”.

In addition to last season’s erratic slate being wiped clean, Leicester City are heavily linked with appetising names to cover gaps in the squad.

The players will feel they have a point to prove, because their fans certainly do. With the top five goal set little over three years ago, it leaves Shakespeare two seasons to pen Leicester’s next unpredictable chapter.

Nonetheless, in case you were wondering, the third question asked to me on that day 27 years ago was: “Could I carry 50 Leicester Mercurys?”. It’s doubtful Craig Shakespeare was asked the same, but he’ll definitely be hoping the back of them looks favourable in months to come.