Jamie Vardy: This is why last gasp defeat at Arsenal HELPED Leicester win Premier League

JAMIE VARDY has revealed Claudio Ranieri’s title masterstroke was to tell his players to clear off.

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V9: Vardy at the launch of his new academy

Ranieri pulled off a shock when he gave his title-chasers a week’s holiday straight after they suffered a sickening last-gasp 2-1 defeat at Arsenal on February 14.

Star striker Vardy recalled yesterday how he revelled in taking it easy in Dubai, while watchingSunderland players toil as they trained in the heat on the beach.

Danny Welbeck’s winner at the Emirates, with only seconds left, was thought likely to signal a collapse by the Foxes.

But after their vacation, they returned to go an undefeated run of eight wins and two draws in ten games - and land the Premier League when Tottenham could only draw at Chelsea on May 2.

Vardy, 29, said: “Straight after that Arsenal game what helped us was the gaffer had seen exactly how much we'd all fought for each other and put into that game.

“And because we weren't in the week after because we'd been knocked out of the FA Cup, the gaffer gave us a week off to completely forget about everything and recharge the batteries.

“We all ventured off, quite a few of us went to Dubai together as a team. That moment, for him to even think about doing that, showed what he'd thought of us as a team and how much work we'd already put in.

“So to get those batteries recharged for that week and come back fighting stronger was a massive part. It was a great idea.

“I remember sitting on a sun lounger in Dubai and, in the same hotel, Sunderland were there running up and down the beach doing fitness.

“For me to be relaxing while they’re doing the training was quite nice. It worked out perfectly, no one was going to go on a seven-day bender.

“It was there to relax with family - and that’s all we did until we got back to training.”

Vardy was speaking on Monday at the launch of his V9 Academy.

He’s seeking 52 non-League players for an intensive, long-term training and coaching course at Manchester City’s Etihad campus.

The aim is to find unsung talent that can emulate his amazing rise from the backwaters of football to the Premier League and England status.

Vardy claimed clubs were too quick to ditch youngsters, having been told he would never make it when he was dumped by boyhood club Sheffield Wednesday aged 16.

“They had a a sheet in front of them, with a mark out of 10 for every aspect of the game,” he remembered. “They did it there and then. No hiding away from it. There was no arm round the shoulder, just a ‘sorry’.

“I think you have got to give everyone the full time to develop, to see how big and strong they become, up until 21.

“When I was released, I was only 1 metre 50 (4ft 11ins), so I probably was too small. Two months later I had a massive growth spurt.”