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 A Bangkok monk said the power of Buddhism had lifted the
Thai-owned club to victory, while some fans closer to home gave
thanks to King Richard III, saying his reinterment in Leicester last
year had sparked the magic.
In a soon-to-be-published book "King Power", which also happens to
be the name of the group that owns the soccer club, a re-imagined
Richard III offers his Middle English analysis of Leicester's rise
to glory under manager Claudio Ranieri.
The author, who writes under the king's pseudonym, answered
questions from Reuters in language somewhere close to that of
another icon from the English Midlands, William Shakespeare, who
wrote the tragedy Richard III and who died 400 years ago.
Q. Leicester's fortunes changed the day you were reintered -- how
much credit do you take for that?
 A. 'Tis not a prince's way to brag or boast, so I beg your grace's
pardon if I demur. All I shall say, when asked if king power brought
this miracle to pass, is this: look upon the facts and figures
pursuant on my reburial, mayhap they speak eloquent enough for
themselves.
Q. At what point in the season did you dare dream Leicester could
win the Premier League title?
A. When did I dare perchance to dream? 'Tis hard to be exact upon
the point. Being a superstitious prince I would not tempt fate with
outlandish hope too soon. The short answer is when we turned over
Man City 3-1 at their place back in February, when my Foxes went
five points clear of chasing hounds.
Q. How is it that Jamie Vardy has been such a prolific striker this
season, when last term he was booked more than he scored? A. 'Tis
a mystery to me, as 'tis to you. For who can see into another's mind
or heart? That villainous scribe Shakespeare tried that trick with
me, yet ne'er came close to unraveling the truth. All we know is
that Jamie Vardy has been having a party for nigh on nine months -
and that this gestation period is itself, God willing, about to
whelp the party to end them all!
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Q. What is the secret to the team spirit that lifted Leicester to
the title?
A. 'Tis insolence unbound to ask a king a secret to divulge, so I
would not tell you even if I knew. But I will speculate a while, and
say that all were discards, misfits and seeming mediocrities before
as stars in Leicester's glittering firmament they were reborn. And
so they were bereft of the ego, conceit and queenly tantrums that
foster discontent among more vaunted squads. A wonderful bunch of
lads, forsooth, on whom may the Lord smile.
Q. How will Leicester fare on their European travels next season?
A. 'Tis ne'er easy, as any medieval king will tell ye, when battle
is joined across the seas. Yet under Ranieri's wise aegis, I feel we
shall prosper in Champions League, for he is most well traveled and
knows the European game inside out. Not that we want Barcelona or
Bayern in the opening round.
(Editing by Robin Pomeroy)
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