EPL : RANIERI dipecat?

• Former Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri has released a heartfelt statement 
• Premier League title-winning boss has thanked the club and its supporters 
• Ranieri hopes fans will 'smile every day' thinking about what they achieved  
• 65-year-old leaves the club one point above the Premier League relegation zone

Former Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri said his 'dream died' after being sacked nine months after leading them to an extraordinary Premier League title.

The Midlands club announced on Thursday night that they had parted company with the Italian owing to a 'painful but necessary' decision in a bid to avoid relegation, less than 24 hours after the first leg of the Champions League last 16 defeat by Sevilla.

Ranieri, who was told he would be leaving with immediate effect on his return from Spain by director of football Jon Rudkin, has released a statement in which he expressed his sadness at the end of a 'wonderful journey' with the club he will always love.

Claudio Ranieri arrives at his house on Friday afternoon after being sacked by Leicester City

The 65-year-old said: 'Yesterday my dream died. After the euphoria of last season and being crowned Premier League champions all I dreamt of was staying with Leicester City, the club I love, for always.

'Sadly this was not to be. I wish to thank my wife Rosanna and all my family for their never ending support during my time at Leicester. My thanks go to Paolo and Andrea who accompanied me on this wonderful journey. To Steve Kutner and Franco Granello for bringing me the opportunity to become a champion.

'I have to thank Leicester City Football Club. The adventure was amazing and will live with me forever. Thank you to all the journalists and the media who came with us and enjoyed reporting on the greatest story in football. 

'My heartfelt thanks to everybody at the club, all the players, the staff, everybody who was there and was part of what we achieved. But mostly to the supporters. You took me into your hearts from day one and loved me. I love you too. 

Ranieri was happy to smile for a selfie outside his home despite his sadness at leaving the club

'No one can ever take away what we together have achieved, and I hope you think about it and smile every day the way I always will. 

'It was a time of wonderfulness and happiness that I will never forget. It's been a pleasure and an honour to be a champions with all of you. Claudio Ranieri.' 

The Italian signed a new four-year contract at the King Power Stadium only last August, meaning he can expect to be compensated in the region of £3million.

Ranieri, who was honoured as coach of the year by FIFA, has received widespread sympathy for being dismissed just 298 days after the club were crowned champions of England, but he was criticised for the club's free-fall towards a relegation battle.

Leicester chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and son Aiyawatt (right) opted to sack Ranieri
 

eicester's achievement in the 2015-16 season will remain one of the greatest in British sport

Retired John Bird, 75, from Leicester, said: 'It is very sad but whatever happens they can't take away what we had last year.

'Something had to be done but it's such a savage way of doing it.

'Can anybody else come to a team like Leicester and do what Ranieri did?

'It will never happen again.'

Claudio Ranieri helped Leicester to the Premier League last season but was sacked this term

Paul Camm, 46, an NHS worker, from Leeds, said: 'It's a bit of a shock after all he did last season.

'I think it would have been better to let him go at the end of the season.'

Steve Murray, 63, a council worker from Leicester said: 'He should never have been sacked, at least not until the end of the season.

'I think it is an incredibly harsh decision.'

 

Tony Bailey, 51, a council worker from Leicester, said: 'It is not just the wrong time to sack him, but he is also the wrong person to blame.

'It is the players who are to blame.

'Since the success of last year they think they won't be able to do it again.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4257376/Claudio-Ranieri-s-statement-Leicester-City-sacking.html#v-7314593592442074493