Claudio Ranieri sacked: Italian manager furious after being ‘betrayed by players and board’ as he is sacked just SIXTEEN DAYS since getting vote of confidence from club
It is believed his relationship with some of the club's 'star players' like Jamie Vardy and Kasper Schmeichel had 'deteriorated'
CLAUDIO RANIERI is furious after being brutally sacked by Leicester.
The Italian, who led the Foxes to a 5,000-1 fairytale Premier League title last season, was betrayed by the board and his players.
His relationship with striker Jamie Vardy and keeper Kasper Schmeichel had deteriorated.
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And the club’s Thai owners sacked him just SIXTEEN DAYS after giving him their “unwavering support” and promising to“remain united behind its manager.”
Ranieri, who became famous for his ‘Dilly Ding, Dilly Dong’ catchphrase, was told of his sacking when he returned to England after Wednesday’s 2-1 Champions League first-leg loss in Seville.
The club’s owners fear the Foxes will be relegated with them 17th and one point above the drop zone.
The board are looking at Huddersfield’s David Wagner as a potential replacement.
Foxes vice-chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said: “This has been the most difficult decision we have had to make in nearly seven years since King Power took ownership.
“But we are duty-bound to put the club’s long-term interests above all sense of personal sentiment.
“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 only target. But we are faced with a fight to reach that objective and feel a change is necessary.”
A few of Ranieri’s squad would like to see former boss Nigel Pearson return.
A source said: “Some of the players thought Claudio was a dead man walking.”
It is understood Ranieri will get a £3million pay-off.