‘He was going to kill me’ - Leicester City star Jamie Vardy pays tribute to Bristol City boss

Leicester City star Jamie Vardy has hailed the influence that Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson has had on his fairytale career.

The 36-year-old has a proper rags to riches story, having been plucked from the non-league at Stockbridge Steels, to go on to win an unlikely Premier League title, an FA Cup and represent his country at the European Championship and the World Cup, reaching the semi-final with England in 2018. He was signed by Leicester in 2012, following his 31 goals in 36 games for Fleetwood Town, which won them the National League title, and was bought for £1m, which was seen as a gamble at the time from Pearson and the Foxes, but it ended up being a masterstroke given his 170 goals in 427 games for Leicester.

Vardy ended up being the figurehead for Pearson during his second spell at the King Power Arena, and got 16 goals in 37 games as they won the Championship title, before helping the club to survival. His three seasons of working under the 59-year-old has gone on to help make him the player that he is today.

In an interview with Parimatch, Vardy admitted that Pearson was the coach that had the biggest influence on his career, expressing his gratitude. When asked which manager helped shape him, he responded with "I’d probably have to say Nigel Pearson. He brought me to the club and I really did struggle in that first season. I remember going in and telling him to loan me out and I thought he was going to kill me.

"He read me his version of the riot act and just said “no, you’re going nowhere. I brought you here for a reason, we know you’ve got it and you’ll come back.” I also think that’s another reason why in the off-season I worked so hard on myself and the fitness side. I think if it wasn’t for that, I’d probably still be knocking on the door asking for a loan move somewhere."

Vardy is currently subject of interest from several clubs both in England and abroad, with Everton and Trabzonspor both linked. Football Transfers claim he can leave with a small fee being asked for given that there is only one-year remaining on his current deal. A bid from Saudi Arabian club Khaleej did come in, but Vardy did not entertain the idea of a move to the Middle East, and a move to Trabzonspor might be unlikely too given he did not want to relocate his family.

If Vardy remains at Leicester City in the summer transfer window, then he could reunite with Nigel Pearson when Bristol City travel to the Midlands on Saturday, September 23. It will be the first time that Pearson has gone to Leicester as an opposition manager following his departure in 2015. He has managed against Leicester since then but that was when he was in charge at Watford, and that match was played at Vicarage Road.