Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri said it was “unbelievable” the whole city had seemingly turned up to celebrate, according to the BBC.
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Claudio Ranieri was named the League Managers’ Association (LMA) manager of the year on Monday after leading 5,000-1 outsiders Leicester City to an improbable Premier League title. The champions finished the season with 81 points, 10 points clear of second-placed Arsenal following a 12-match unbeaten run since their February 14th loss at the hands of the Gunners.
It was a busy day for the 64-year-old who had to travel to London by helicopter for the award ceremony.
The players were individually introduced to the crowd who cheered every name and the players re-enacted being presented with the trophy – which they had received officially after their final home game against Everton at the King Power Stadium.
The club has strong links to the Far Eastern nation after a 2010 take-over by Mr Srivaddhanaprabha.
Long-time fan Eileen James from Birstall, Leicester, said she was delighted by the worldwide flavour of the celebrations, which have drawn visitors from across the globe.
“They’ve come from all over the world just to be here”.
The parade – official recognition of Leicester’s status at Champions of England for the first time in the club’s 132-year history – is being transmitted on to big screens erected at Victoria Park, where the bus tour will conclude. “The fans chanting “Okazaki, Okazaki” really moved me”.
Captain Wes Morgan said: “What we’ve achieved this season has been fantastic and the boys and the staff… and the fans, everyone has contributed to it and it has been a fantastic season and you can’t take that away from us”.
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He later cried “keep dreaming, don’t wake up” during an on-stage interview to thunderous roars from the approving crowd.
