Could Nottingham Forest Actually ‘Do a Leicester City’? The Underdog’s Tale in Football

In 2016, the footballing world was stunned when Leicester City won the Premier League. Their fairy-tale rise from relegation battlers to English champions in just a one season left fans, pundits, and even players scratching their heads. In many ways, Leicester’s achievement was unprecedented, a once-in-a-lifetime event that seemed too extraordinary to replicate. But as the years have passed, the question remains: Could another team do a Leicester City? Could an underdog rise to the top of Europe’s most competitive leagues against all odds?

The answer may surprise you. While Leicester’s triumph remains the most recent and celebrated example, history is littered with stories of other clubs that have defied expectations and claimed domestic and continental glory. So, could Nottingham Forest be the next team to pull off a shock title? Let’s look at the rich history of underdog victories, with a few other examples of clubs that rocked the establishment in unforgettable ways.

Leicester City - 2015/2016: The Benchmark for the Underdog

Let’s begin with Leicester City. The Foxes’ 2015/16 season still feels like a fever dream for football fans around the world. The odds were so stacked against them that bookmakers offered 5000/1 for them to win the Premier League title at the start of the campaign. And yet, against all odds, Leicester achieved what no one thought possible.Under the leadership of Claudio Ranieri, Leicester City’s team was full of hungry, motivated players who were either overlooked or underappreciated by other clubs. Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez, and N’Golo Kanté were among the key players who helped deliver a tactical masterclass. Their success wasn’t built on massive spending or world-class stars; it was the product of a well-coached, high-energy, and organized team that excelled in the counter-attack, took advantage of set pieces, and stayed resilient throughout the season.Leicester’s story remains the ultimate template for every club with a modest budget and big dreams. And, considering that Nottingham Forest—another historic club with a rich tradition—now finds itself back in the Premier League, it begs the question: could they follow in Leicester’s footsteps?

Could Nottingham Forest Pull Off the Impossible?

Since their promotion to the Premier League in 2022, Nottingham Forest has made significant strides. While they didn’t secure a miraculous title in their first season back in the Premier League, the club’s recent history has been marked by impressive recruitment and tactical improvements under previous manager Steve Cooper. Forest boasts an ambitious ownership structure and an atmosphere at the City Ground that feels like a sleeping giant awakening.Could this be the beginning of another underdog story? The Premier League is certainly more competitive than ever, with established giants like Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea constantly at the top, but as Leicester showed, there is always room for surprises. Forest’s well-balanced squad and their incredible atmosphere could be just what the doctor ordered for a team looking to outperform its budget and expectations.If they can continue to develop their young talent, maintain consistency in their tactical approach, and bring in a few key signings, Nottingham Forest could one day become the next Leicester-style giant killer, proving that anything is possible in football.

Other Underdog Triumphs: When the Little Guys Rock the Establishment

While Leicester City’s triumph is the most recent fairy-tale Premier League story, there are several other instances throughout football history where smaller, less-celebrated clubs have taken the world by surprise. Let’s take a look at some other underdog stories that prove anything can happen in football.

Montpellier - 2011/2012: French Champions Against the Odds

In 2012, Montpellier Hérault Sport Club won France’s Ligue 1 for the first time in the club's history. Their triumph was a massive shock, as they finished ahead of Paris Saint-Germain, a club with considerably more financial resources and a star-studded lineup. Montpellier’s rise was a result of a fantastic team effort, led by the free-scoring Olivier Giroud, who played a pivotal role in their attack.

Montpellier’s success came from building a cohesive squad that played disciplined, tactical football. While they didn’t have the star power of PSG, their unity, tactical discipline, and a little bit of luck led them to the unlikeliest of league titles. This victory proved that a strong team ethos can be just as important as big-money signings and individual brilliance.

Wolfsburg - 2008/09: The Unexpected Bundesliga Champions

In the 2008/09 Bundesliga season, VfL Wolfsburg pulled off one of the most unexpected league victories in German football history. The club, led by former Bayern Munich manager Felix Magath, finished top of the Bundesliga table, securing the title in a season where no one predicted they’d be champions. Wolfsburg’s attack was led by the dynamic duo of Edin Džeko and Grafite, who together formed one of Europe’s most lethal attacking partnerships.

What made Wolfsburg’s success even more remarkable was the fact that the team had finished 5th in the previous season. The squad didn’t include any household names at the time, and the club’s finances were not in the same stratosphere as some of Germany’s traditional powerhouses like Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. Wolfsburg’s success was based on a combination of solid defense, incredible attacking form, and a coach who knew how to get the best out of his players at the right time.

Deportivo La Coruña - 1999/00: A Spanish Revolution

The 1999/00 season saw Deportivo La Coruña capture their first-ever La Liga title, an achievement that stunned Spanish football. With teams like Real Madrid and Barcelona dominating Spain’s top division, Deportivo’s success was a reminder that surprises can still happen in the face of established powerhouses.

Under the guidance of manager Javier Irureta, Deportivo’s defense was impenetrable, and their attack was clinical. The team’s roster was built around key players like Roy Makaay, who finished as the league’s top scorer that season, and a solid midfield led by Francisco Palencia and Alberto Luque. Deportivo finished the season ahead of both Real Madrid and Barcelona, an achievement that still stands as one of the biggest shocks in La Liga history.

FC Twente - 2009/10: The Dutch Underdog

In 2010, FC Twente shocked the Netherlands by winning the Eredivisie title for the first time in their history. Managed by former England manager Steve McClaren, Twente finished above traditional powerhouses Ajax and PSV Eindhoven to claim the championship. Twente’s rise was built on McClaren’s solid tactical setup, strong team ethic, and key contributions from players like Bryan Ruiz and Eljero Elia.

This victory was particularly significant for the Eredivisie, as it highlighted that, with the right manager and a well-coached squad, smaller clubs could outplay bigger sides. Twente’s success also helped them qualify for the Champions League, marking the beginning of an exciting period in the club’s history.

Boavista - 2000/01: Portugal’s Most Unexpected Champions

Boavista’s victory in the 2000/01 Primeira Liga season is one of the most under appreciated achievements in football history. The Porto-based club clinched their first league title in 70 years, beating the likes of Benfica and Sporting CP to the top spot in Portugal. Boavista’s success was largely based on their solid defense, quick counter-attacks, and managerial expertise from Jaime Pacheco.

While Boavista didn’t have the star names or massive budgets of their competitors, they proved that a well-organized, disciplined team could overcome the odds and claim the ultimate prize. Their victory remains a shining example of how football, at its heart, can sometimes defy expectations.

Conclusion: Anything Is Possible

Looking at these examples of underdog triumphs—Leicester City, Montpellier, Wolfsburg, Deportivo La Coruña, FC Twente, and Boavista—it’s clear that anything is possible in football. The sport is a beautiful game precisely because it gives hope to the underdogs, showing that with the right mixture of tactics, team spirit, and determination, even the most modest of clubs can achieve greatness.

So, could Nottingham Forest “do a Leicester City” and rise to the top of the Premier League or even Europe? It’s a long shot, of course, but as history has shown time and time again, surprises do happen. Football is unpredictable, and sometimes the most exciting stories are the ones that no one saw coming.

If Nottingham Forest can continue to build on their solid foundation and capture the imagination of their passionate fanbase, who’s to say they can’t make their own piece of footballing history? One thing is for sure: we’ll be watching to see if they can make the impossible happen.