English Premier League champions Leicester City have sacked manager Claudio Ranieri, the club said in a statement.
Ranieri, whose side are currently a point and a place above the relegation zone, leaves less then a year after clinching a remarkable title triumph.
The Foxes were defeated 2-1 by Sevilla in the Champions League earlier this week.
“Claudio led the Foxes to the greatest triumph in the club’s 133-year history last season, as we were crowned champions of England for the first time,” the statement said.
“His status as the most successful Leicester City manager of all time is without question.
“However, domestic results in the current campaign have placed the club’s Premier League status under threat and the board reluctantly feels that a change of leadership, while admittedly painful, is necessary in the club’s greatest interest.”
The board called the decision a painful one but says it feels duty-bound to make the call.
“This has been the most difficult decision we have had to make in nearly seven years since King Power took ownership of Leicester City,” vice-chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said.
“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.”
Assistant manager Craig Shakespeare and first team coach Mike Stowell will take over the managerial duties until a new coach is found, starting with this weekend’s Premier League match against Liverpool.
mice
Guest
Fantastic win agains Liverpool. Shows the players have been underperforming all year and indicates that Ranieri may well have lost the dressing room. If the players have so much power then it shows what a really tough job it must be to be a manager in today's top flight football.
Gavin R
Guest
As i read this morning, he was the victim of his own success, unfortunately. It doesnt surprise me with the way modern football is, but its sad to see them not stick with him. A lot of fans will want to see them relegated now.
J.T. Delacroix
Guest
They'll never win the Premiership with this guy in charge!
Mice
Guest
I really do want Leicester to stay up so whatever is necessary but I can't imagine any other manager ever getting bochelli to sing at a premiership win or anything ever being quite like what we witnessed. I don't think you will find any Leicester supporter who is not upset at Ranieri getting the sack and I am no exception. If you look at the way the owners have performed since taking over the club I think you will find that they have consistently made good decisions and have been able to take the fans with them, so I have trust in them. It has been obvious for some time now that Ranieri was not getting the best out of his players and I think the players themselves need to take a look in the mirror and honestly ask if they have contributed to this outcome. The reality is professional football is a cutthroat business and sentiment will not necessarily keep a team in the top flight. As far as my suggestion for a replacement manager. I'm not sure I have any idea. One thing is sure. They will probably never find as nice a person as Claudio Ranieri or someone who could carry off a premiership title with the style that he did. He will always be a god in the eyes of Leicester fans.
Dan
Guest
Are you upset he got the sack? Who do you think should take over now?
me too
Guest
Gee, let him complete the fairytale - premiers one year, european champions the next, playing in the championship the next.
punter
Guest
Ciao Claudio, what a ride you have been. Champions of England with an unheralded side & then 9 months later in the scrapheap. But no doubt Claudio, in years to come you will never have to buy a coffee/beer in Leicester.
Mice
Guest
Dilly Ding Dilly Dong. Thanks for giving me the best time of my life. As a lifelong Leicester City supporter I flew from Australia to England along with a few others and managed to get into the last home game v Everton. The most emotional experience ever and the party in the streets of Leicester after the game was so joyful. Good luck for the future Claudio.