NIGEL PEARSON IS backing Leicester City to win the Premier League title race, but the ex-Foxes boss admits that he won’t be overjoyed for everyone at the club if they do.
Pearson left Leicester in acrimonious circumstances last summer, when he was dismissed after criticising how the club handled a disciplinary process involving his son James, who was one of three players sacked after an incident on a tour of Thailand.
Claudio Ranieri replaced Pearson at the King Power Stadium and Leicester began this season as one of the favourites for relegation. However, Ranieri’s side have defied the odds in remarkable fashion. With 12 games remaining, they’ve got a two-point lead at the top of the table.
“They’ll win it. I think they’ll win the Premier League. Why? Because they won’t be distracted by the hype. A lot of people in the game haven’t really sussed what Leicester are about,” said Pearson, in an exclusive interview with The Times.
“They’ve got some really good players. Jamie Vardy’s form has been unbelievable — but collectively they are a bloody strong group. They’re extremely resilient. They coped with the pressure extremely well last year and they are doing the same this year.
“They won’t be interested in what anyone else says. They are concentrating on themselves, playing to their strengths and their identity whereas, to me, a lot of other sides have lost their way. Leicester have no fear, good luck to them.”
He added: “It would be a mixture of feelings, let’s be honest. I would be delighted for a lot of people there — players, staff and fans — but I would be dishonest if I said I would be happy for everyone there. Of course, I wouldn’t be.”
Pearson also believes his own contribution to Leicester’s success shouldn’t be under-estimated. Under his reign, they won seven of their final nine games last season to preserve their Premier League status.
“Leicester are where they are because they’ve had a fantastic season and because their manager has managed skilfully and sensibly,” said the former Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough defender.
“But also because they previously had someone in charge who was able to front it up and make tough decisions when they needed to be made. I know how pivotal the work I did for them was to be in the situation they’re in now.”
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