Leicester City’s title win was every bit the fairy story, as was Wales’ run at Euro 2016, but England displayed their unerring ability to ruin the mood

The year 2016 was a terrific one for the Premier League and a terrible 12 months for English football. Leicester City’s title success was every bit the fairytale, the perfect antidote to long-held and justifiable fears that ordinary clubs could no longer dream of glory as the bigger institutions and the Champions League elite had effectively ringfenced all the prizes worth winning.

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Leicester’s achievement was all the more remarkable for being totally unexpected, not only for the above reasons but also because of the struggle against relegation the previous season; yet even as Jamie Vardy and his team-mates enjoyed their party at domestic level something much more predictable was clouding the international scene.

England doing badly in tournaments is now almost a given. The faithful expect little else and are grateful for even the smallest signs of progress. Even so, being ejected from the European Championship by Iceland while simultaneously watching Wales turn into one of the teams of the tournament surely represented a new low. The last time England looked as though they might enjoy themselves at a tournament was in 2002 or 2004; the story since has become a little more depressing every couple of years, although no sooner does it seem impossible to sink any lower than the national side find a way to manage it.

England actually performed that trick twice in 2016. Their abject 2-1 capitulation to the smallest nation ever to qualify for a major tournament represented a startling variation on the dire baseline established in Brazil two years earlier, when they were eliminated before the end of the group stage. Then when Roy Hodgson did the decent thing and the FA bowed to pressure to appoint a more streetwise manager, it found that decision blowing up in its face as well.

So England have had three permanent managers in the calendar year, including one reign so short that Sam Allardyce never got the chance to sit in the dugout at Wembley, and perhaps more damagingly have ended up with Gareth Southgate in charge because the job is no longer viewed as sufficiently attractive, prestigious or desirable.

Southgate will probably not lead England back to the forefront of world football, the journey is simply too long and no one now expects it. Just about the only positive to be drawn from a sorry situation is that he finds himself in a position somewhat similar to Chris Coleman when he took over Wales. Unlike England, Wales have never had any sense of entitlement in international football – they know they have to start low and work hard for any success. Recognition finally arrived in 2016 and well-deserved it was, too. England could do worse than attempting to copy the Coleman plan, although with Wembley to fill and 50 years of hurt to factor in, the parallel is not an exact one.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Gareth Southgate was appointed as England manager in late November following Sam Allardyce’s one-match spell in the role. Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images

With the abuse scandal this newspaper helped uncover reaching unimagined proportions by the end of the year, 2016 could hardly be described as a high point for English football. Yet, if the Premier League is what this country does best, this was one of its vintage years. The Leicester story delighted football followers around the world and the achievement is not diminished by the team’s struggles in the league this season. Now that Chelsea, Liverpool and the Manchester clubs are back to something approaching their best, it does begin to appear that Leicester took advantage of an ideal set of circumstances last season.

Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are particularly guilty of dithering instead of cashing in on the managerial changes and overblown transitions going on elsewhere, but Leicester still deserve immense credit for being decisive and making their distinctive team ethic work. They were worthy winners of Team of the Year at the BBC’s Sports Personality awards for, if ever a title was won by collective effort rather than the contributions of individuals, this was it. Leicester took on the big teams and won when it mattered, most notably in gaining a stunning victory over Manchester City at the Etihad and providing José Mourinho’s final defeat as Chelsea manager.

Arsenal and Tottenham are particularly guilty of dithering instead of cashing in on managerial changes elsewhere

Mourinho had remarked that Leicester were in a false position, a statement he then had to retract, although his mistake was not quite as expensive as similar assumptions made by bookmakers.

Mourinho is back in employment now at Manchester United, where he gradually seems to be shaping the side into one capable of living up to club traditions, even if talk already of a contract extension has unsettled some fans. Under Mourinho, United still made their worst start for 27 years, however well they are currently playing, and although Paul Pogba is now starting to exert a positive influence in midfield and Henrikh Mkhitaryan has begun to perform well, it is fair to say fans were expecting a little more bang for their buck after breaking the world transfer record in the summer.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest José Mourinho oversaw Manchester United’s worst start to a league season in 27 years but the resurgent Zlatan Ibrahimovic has raised spirits. Photograph: Hannah McKay/Reuters

Manchester City are in a slightly better, albeit similar, position. Pep Guardiola has not found it easy to adjust to the Premier League after all. The City manager has been freely admitting as much in recent weeks but his side have played some thrilling football at times during a campaign that has already yielded impressive victories over Arsenal and Barcelona. Last season City would have been out in front without too much of a problem. This season they are being put in the shade by Chelsea and Liverpool, especially the former, although a moment of truth will arrive at Anfield when City are the visitors on New Year’s Eve.

It is fair to point out, as Guardiola and Mourinho frequently do, that Chelsea and Liverpool have the advantage of being unencumbered by European commitments this season, although Antonio Conte in particular deserves credit for completely changing his club’s outlook in well under six months in a new country. Chelsea have been playing so well of late that even neutrals have been appreciating their ability.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Antonio Conte looking animated yet cool in one of his suits. Photograph: Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images

That used to happen in a grudging way when Mourinho was in charge, mostly because the efficiency was remarkable, but now Chelsea are the genuine crowd-pleasing article, showcasing some exceptional talents and looking a good bet for the title. If it is true that Roman Abramovich has always hankered after an entertaining, free-scoring side, a force not only recognised but admired around Europe, he seems closer than ever to achieving his wish. If they continue to improve, European progress will surely follow under Conte, although that is for next year.

As 2016 winds down, with the official prizes to be handed out towards the end of the season, here are a few unofficial suggestions for the year as a whole …

I've just Cruyffed them and stuck it in the net Hal Robson-Kanu

Team of the year Leicester City

Coach of the year Claudio Ranieri

Player of the year Riyad Mahrez.

Most improved team Chelsea

Most improved player Diego Costa

Most memorable goal Jamie Vardy v Liverpool.

Most jaw-dropping moment Hal Robson-Kanu puts Wales ahead against Belgium

Quote of the year Robson-Kanu again: “I’ve just Cruyffed them and stuck it in the net”

Most remarkable atmosphere Liverpool v Borussia Dortmund.

Most embarrassing own goal Sam Allardyce

Most embarrassing choice of drink Sam Allardyce

Best positional switch Chelsea to back three and wing-backs

Best celebration (premature) Alan Pardew dancing on the sideline at the FA Cup final

Worst news management Manchester United spoiling Louis van Gaal’s moment of glory at Wembley

Worst slide to the bottom of the table Swansea and Sunderland to share

Most promising newcomer Marcus Rashford.

Best old-timer Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Most biblically apt arrival due this Christmas Gabriel Jesus joins Manchester City.

Piece of commentary for posterity Steve McClaren talking up England as Iceland score

Best dresser Antonio Conte. Even his outfits look more animated than those of his rivals