Maresca: An Amazing Season
- Leicester City are Sky Bet Championship champions
- The Foxes beat Preston North End 3-0 to seal the title
- Jamie Vardy netted twice, with Kasey McAteer also on the scoresheet
- Manager Enzo Maresca reflected on a season to remember
Maresca’s men defeated Preston North End 3-0 at Deepdale on Monday evening to seal the title, courtesy of a Jamie Vardy double either side of half-time and Kasey McAteer’s strike – win no.31 of an extraordinary season.
Reflecting on the 2023/24 campaign as a whole, the Italian expressed his emotions while taking in the atmosphere on the pitch after full-time in Lancashire.
The 44-year-old commented: “It’s been an amazing season, tough in some moments, but it’s football and we know that. We enjoy it and it’s all about these guys behind me (the players and fans), it’s fantastic.
“We achieved our target and we see the people happy. We are very happy. It was a good win and we finished our job. Now we enjoy and then we have time to think about it.”
Showing metal and strength in the face of adversity, City were, at one stage, 17 points clear at the top, before the other promotion candidates came back into view. A strong mentality, and quality at both ends of the pitch, saw Leicester through in the end, Maresca believes.
City’s Manager continued: “We knew (at the start of the season) that Leicester’s target is to get promoted but you know sometimes it happens, sometimes strange things happen. But you can see how tough this league is.
“Many teams are fighting but now we finish in the right way. We were favourites but Leeds too and Southampton. You have to do the job and we did it.”
Special scenes greeted Maresca and the team, with over 5,000 away fans backing his side in the North West.
Their vocal support on the night and during the campaign has been appreciated, he added, with another chance to come together this Saturday back at King Power Stadium, when the league trophy will be presented following a home fixture against Blackburn Rovers.
“It’s unbelievable (the support),” the former Manchester City coach stated. “We are very grateful for all of their support throughout the season. They (the players) enjoyed for two days (after promotion was confirmed), but when you hard work and you are rewarded with something, you have to enjoy.
“So they enjoyed it and tonight they showed their professionalism. We’ll try to prepare for the (Blackburn) game in the best way and finish with a win to get 100 points.”