Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri believes that Nottingham Forest’s European achievement was greater than Leicester’s success this season.
In an interview with Italian sports news outlet Gazetta World, the well-revered manager said he wants to emulate Nottingham Forest’s achievements.
When asked if his accomplishment was the greatest feat in the history of football, Ranieri replied “no.”
I hope to hit those heights
He said: “Nottingham Forest was the greatest because they won the title and the European Cup after being promoted.
“I hope to hit those heights in a few years.”
Last month several of Nottingham Forest’s 1979 European-cup winning side told Notts TV News their achievements still stand above Leicester’s ‘fairytale’ season.
Defender and 1979 squad member Colin Barrett said: “There’s absolutely no comparison, no comparison at all.
“They are different eras, we played more games than them and we came up and won it straight away whereas they had a season in the Premiership first. By that time we’d already won a European Cup as well as two League Cups.”
Even with Leicester’s success this season, Ranieri believes the club’s team spirit is the key and is still remaining grounded.
He said: “I’ve told our chairman [Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha] to forget about this season as we won’t be able to repeat it.
“I don’t want big money players that will divide the locker room.
“I want players that will show the same spirit we have now and I know some sides will be happy to have us in their Champion’s League group but we will play the same way we did this season.”