Football’s fairytales graded, from miraculous to manufactured | OneFootball

Wrexham’s surge from non-League to being realistic contenders for next season’s Premier League is stirring. They host Chelsea in the FA Cup on Friday.

According to NY Times, World Book Day brings a grading of football’s fairytales.

Wrexham’s big spending and branding blunt the magic, though Phil Parkinson’s continuity and three straight promotions add heart. 6/10. Brentford’s data-led, low-budget rise is admirable, if unromantic. 4/10.

Leicester went from great escape to champions, a marvel unlikely to be repeated. 10/10. Glimt climbed from Norway’s second tier in 2017 to topple giants, but must get beyond this month’s Champions League last 16. 7/10.

Bournemouth’s ascent, fronted by Hollywood and a consortium, included an FFP breach, romance scarce. 2/10. Rehhagel’s side delivered the European Championship’s unlikeliest triumph, 1-0 set-piece wins decisive against Portugal, France and the Czech Republic. 8/10.

Nottingham Forest leapt from second-tier mid-table in May 1975 to English champions and consecutive European Cups within five years, under Clough and Taylor. 10/10. Wimbledon rose from non-League in 1977 to FA Cup winners and sixth by 1988, Crazy Gang’s rough charm enduring. 8/10.

Manchester City’s climb from 1999’s third tier to 2012 champions and a first Champions League in 2023 cost more than £2billion after Abu Dhabi United Group’s takeover, controlled by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, vice-president of the United Arab Emirates, amid 115 charges. 1/10.

Zambia’s only AFCON title in 2012, after the 1993 disaster that killed 18 players, came on penalties against Ivory Coast after 0-0 in Libreville. 10/10.

Source: NY Times