2015–16 Premier League 5,000–1 odds on them winning the title. After the dismissal of manager Nigel Pearson, they began the new season with Italian Claudio Ranieri in charge. Pearson had been known for his short temper with the press, while Ranieri has a reputation for good humour. The appointment was met with scepticism by pundits, including Leicester fan and former player Gary Lineker, as Ranieri had recently been sacked from his previous post as manager of the Greek national team after suffering a humiliating defeat to the Faroe Islands in his last game in charge. Despite winning their opening game against Sunderland and
History of Leicester City F.C. games, but a change of fortunes meant that they finished the season in 14th place with a 5–1 victory over relegated Queens Park Rangers on the last day of the season. They thus completed, mathematically, the best escape from relegation ever seen in the Premier League as no team had previously had less than 20 points from 29 games and stayed up. Despite his success, Pearson was sacked in June 2015 after a breakdown in his relationship with the club's owners. He was replaced by former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri. Starting the 2015–16 season as relegation candidates, and quoted by