TheCable

Leicester City has sacked Claudio Ranieri less than nine months after winning the English Premier League.

The Foxes are currently a point above the Premier League relegation zone despite the impressive run of last season.

Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, vice chairman of the club, said in a statement, “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.”

Ranieri, who was appointed in 2015, was expected to oversee a relegation battle at the King Power stadium. – but he did a lot more than that.

The Foxes were 5,000 to one to win the league title, yet ended up winning it by 10 points.

The Premier League champions are yet to score a league goal in 2017.

The Blues have won just five games in the league this season, and there have been reports of unrest in the dressing room.

Ranieri’s last game in charge was a 2-1 loss to Sevilla on Wednesday night in the Champions League.

The 65-year-old was named FIFA coach of the year in 2016.