Where Leicester’s 2016 Title Heroes Are Now — A Decade Later
Ten years after pulling off the greatest underdog story in football history, Leicester City’s Premier League champions have scattered across the globe — some still playing, others coaching, and a few completely out of the game. While the club now battles relegation fears under Gary Rowett, the legacy of Claudio Ranieri’s miracle squad lives on through their wildly different paths.
From Champions to Coaches, Retirees, and Free Agents
The core of that legendary 2015-16 side has taken turns you wouldn’t expect. Kasper Schmeichel, once the rock between the posts, may have played his final match after two major surgeries following his time at Celtic. Danny Simpson? He’s turning out for Stretford Paddock — yes, the 12th tier. Ritchie De Laet hung up his boots at Royal Antwerp and now consults for an interior wrapping company. Captain Wes Morgan remains active off the pitch, serving on both the PFA and Kick It Out boards.
Some are still kicking a ball:
- Riyad Mahrez is tearing it up at Al Ahli after winning everything with Manchester City — including last season’s AFC Champions League — and will captain Algeria at the World Cup.
- Jamie Vardy, somehow still going, has five goals this season for Cremonese in Italy.
- Andrej Kramaric just became Hoffenheim’s all-time top scorer with 154 goals.
- Demarai Gray returned to Birmingham City, while Matty James plies his trade at Wrexham.
Others have swapped cleats for clipboards:
- Christian Fuchs manages Newport County in League Two.
- Shinji Okazaki is coaching FC Basara Mainz in Germany’s sixth division.
- Andy King, still connected to Leicester, is on the first-team staff and even stepped in as caretaker manager twice this season.
What Happened After the Miracle?
That title win wasn’t just improbable — it was statistically impossible. Bookmakers had priced Leicester at 5000-1 before the season started. The crown was sealed on May 2, 2016, not by their own result (a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford) but by Tottenham’s 2-2 collapse at Chelsea. The squad’s chemistry, grit, and tactical discipline under Ranieri turned fantasy into reality.
But sustaining that magic proved impossible. Many stars were sold or drifted away. Injuries hit key figures. Management changed. The club yo-yoed between divisions. And now, a decade later, survival in the Championship is the new dream.
Here’s where a few more familiar faces ended up:
- N’Golo Kanté is vice-captain of France and still grinding at Fenerbahçe.
- Danny Drinkwater left football entirely and now develops property.
- Marc Albrighton runs a youth development center in Tamworth.
- Gökhan Inler transitioned to Udinese’s technical director role.
- Daniel Amartey is currently without a club.
Why This Still Matters to Fans
For supporters, these players aren’t just names on a roster — they’re legends who defied every law of modern football. Their stories remind us that careers don’t end when the spotlight fades. Some found peace outside the game. Others kept chasing the next challenge. A few even came full circle, returning to mentor the next generation.
What stands out isn’t just where they are — it’s how they got there. No entitlement. No guarantees. Just hard work, adaptation, and resilience. That’s the real legacy of the 2016 title: it wasn’t built on money or superstars, but on character.
Key Takeaways
- Kasper Schmeichel may be retired after serious injury setbacks.
- Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy are still scoring goals professionally — just not in England.
- Christian Fuchs, Shinji Okazaki, and Andy King have moved into management or coaching roles.
- Danny Drinkwater and Ritchie De Laet left football for business and advisory roles.
- Leicester City’s current struggles contrast sharply with the heights reached a decade ago.
— Editorial Team
