Ranieri proud of 'fantastic' achievement: 'I never expected this'

Claudio Ranieri, the oft-criticized journeyman who has been the bridesmaid on multiple occasions throughout his lengthy career behind a multitude of benches, is finally the focus of the football world for all the right reasons.

At 64 years old, the well-mannered Italian manager captured his first top-flight league crown on Monday, as his Leicester City side hoisted the Premier League title by virtue of Tottenham's draw against Chelsea.

Related: Leicester completes Cinderella season, clinches title with Tottenham's collapse

Ranieri, who spent the day in Italy having lunch with his 96-year-old mother, reacted to the historic achievement by praising his players, shifting all the credit to those around him - as he is wont to do.

"I'm so proud. I'm happy for my players, for the Chairman, for the staff at Leicester City, all our fans and the Leicester community. It's an amazing feeling and I'm so happy for everyone," he told the club's official website.

"I never expected this when I arrived. I'm a pragmatic man, I just wanted to win match after match and help my players to improve week after week. Never did I think too much about where it would take us.

"The players have been fantastic. Their focus, their determination, their spirit has made this possible. Every game they fight for each other and I love to see this in my players. They deserve to be champions."

So do you, Claudio. So do you.