Claudio Ranieri’s happy philosophy rings a bell with Leicester
The 64-year-old Italian has rarely looked anything other than relaxed during Leicester’s remarkable season
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Claudio Ranieri, the Leicester manager, has given an insight into the imaginary bell routine he has been using to keep his players alert and smiling during their unlikely push for the Premier League title.
Midfielder Danny Drinkwater revealed in an interview this week that Ranieri has a habit of making a noise like a ringing bell at anyone he feels is not paying attention. And when that was put to Ranieri, he said: “If Drinky says something, it is true! I tell them ‘dilly-ding, dilly-dong’ when they are sleeping.
“From the beginning, when something was wrong, I said ‘dilly-ding, dilly-dong, wake up’ during training sessions. And on Christmas Day I bought for each of the players a little bell, just as a joke. It was a funny thing.
“Every manager is different and has their philosophy, their way. I like to [try to make it so] my players and myself, everybody can do our job, but with a smile – that is my philosophy. I don’t want to see sad people around me. It is important to stay together, smiling.”
The 64-year-old Italian has rarely looked anything other than relaxed during Leicester’s remarkable season, and he certainly appeared at ease yesterday – with his team sitting three points clear at the top, 10 games from the end of the campaign.
Before Leicester’s trip to Watford, second-placed Tottenham host third-placed Arsenal at lunchtime – but Ranieri has stressed to his side the importance of not worrying about what their title rivals are doing, concentrating only on their own task.
“My philosophy is not to look at the others – that is not important,” he said “What we are doing is important. We must think what we can do. At the end, if someone is above us, we’ll say ‘well done’.”
Asked what result he would like from the north London derby, Ranieri joked: “I don’t know – can they both lose?” He added: “We have to see what we can do against Watford. It is not important what happens with Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United. What is important is Leicester.”
Ranieri could today welcome back central midfielder N’Golo Kanté, who missed Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion due to a hamstring injury.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments