Ranieri called Hiddink to thank Chelsea for helping Leicester win title

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Reuters

Claudio Ranieri has oozed class all season long, and that didn't change Monday in the immediate aftermath of his side's historic Premier League coronation.

The Foxes watched as Tottenham threw away a 2-0 second-half lead against Chelsea, with goals from Gary Cahill and Eden Hazard mathematically eliminating Spurs from title contention and ensuring that Leicester capped its remarkable campaign with the ultimate prize.

Afterwards Ranieri, who was in Italy to have lunch with his 96-year-old mother, rang up Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink.

"Just after the final whistle ... He called and thanked us for what we did in the second half, and I congratulated him for being champion," Hiddink said of his Italian peer.

"I didn't see any tears because it wasn't a FaceTime conversation, but his voice was trembling a bit. He didn't say much - 'Thanks' five times."

Hiddink - who will depart Chelsea at the end of the season - extolled the virtues of the most unlikely champion England - and arguably sport - has ever seen.

"Leicester deserve it. It might not be a surprise anymore but it's a shock for the established clubs that they did so well. You can be top by surprise after half a season, but they didn't implode. There was no tension when they started to smell the title and that's why I think they deserve it."

The Digest

Everything you need to know about Leicester City's improbable title win

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Matthew Ashton - AMA / Getty Images Sport / Getty

They did it. They really did it.

Leicester City, a 5000-1 underdog to hoist the Premier League crown coming into the campaign, did exactly that on Monday - a 2-2 draw between Tottenham and Chelsea the deciding result.

Related: Leicester completes Cinderella season, clinches historic Premier League title​

That scoreline at Stamford Bridge was enough for Claudio Ranieri and his band of cast-offs to claim a first-ever title in the club's 132-year history, mathematically eliminating second-place Spurs from contention for the crown.

It's been a wild, wholly improbable ride, and we've reached the apex. Enjoy it, because it's unlikely we'll ever witness a comparable season.

Here's everything you need to know about the greatest upset football has ever seen.

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