Leicester City have sensationally sacked the manager who lead them to arguably the greatest triumph in English football history.
Claudio Ranieri is out as Leicester manager, just nine months after leading them to Premier League title and with the Foxes still in playing in the knockout stages of the Champions League where they trail Sevilla 2-1 after the first leg in Spain on Wednesday night.
A statement by Leicester read:
Vice Chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said in a statement on the Leicester website:
“This has been the most difficult decision we have had to make in nearly seven years since King Power took ownership of Leicester City. But we are duty-bound to put the Club’s long-term interests above all sense of personal sentiment, no matter how strong that might be.
“Claudio has brought outstanding qualities to his office. His skilful management, powers of motivation and measured approach have been reflective of the rich experience we always knew he would bring to Leicester City. His warmth, charm and charisma have helped transform perceptions of the Club and develop its profile on a global scale. We will forever be grateful to him for what he has helped us to achieve.
“It was never our expectation that the extraordinary feats of last season should be replicated this season. Indeed, survival in the Premier League was our first and only target at the start of the campaign. But we are now faced with a fight to reach that objective and feel a change is necessary to maximise the opportunity presented by the final 13 games.”
The FIFA Coach of the Year has seen his side struggle to repeat the type of energy and performances that helped Leicester win their first-ever Premier League title.
While Leicester initially shone in the Champions League, winning their group, they desperately struggled in the Premier League.
The Foxes are yet to score a goal in the Premier League in 2017 and have picked up just one point from a possible 18.
They needed a replay and extra-time to get past Derby in the FA Cup fourth round only to be humbled by Millwall of League One in the last 16.
Despite the Foxes struggles this season to fire Claudio Ranieri with a little more than a third of the season left reeks of panic by a board that does not understand football.
