Claudio Ranieri: Leicester City sack Premier League-winning manager

Manager Claudio Ranieri has been sacked by Leicester City, nine months after leading them to the Premier League title.

The Foxes are one point above the relegation zone with 13 matches left.

"The board reluctantly feels that a change of leadership, while admittedly painful, is necessary in the club's greatest interest," read a statement.

Ranieri, 65, guided the Foxes to the title despite them being rated 5,000-1 shots at the start of the campaign.

His departure comes less than 24 hours after a 2-1 defeat at Spanish side Sevilla in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

The Foxes took the Premier League title by 10 points but have won just five top-flight games this season, and could become the first defending champions to be relegated since 1938.

They have lost their past five league matches and are the only side in the top four English divisions without a league goal in 2017.

Leicester's past two seasons after 25 games
Season	Position	Points	Won	Lost	Scored	Conceded
2015-16	1st	53	15	2	47	27
2016-17	17th	21	5	14	24	43

"His status as the most successful Leicester City manager of all time is without question," added the Foxes statement.

"However, domestic results in the current campaign have placed the club's Premier League status under threat."

Earlier this month, Leicester gave their "unwavering support" to the Italian, who was appointed manager in July 2015 and signed a new four-year deal in August 2016.

"After all that Claudio Ranieri has done for Leicester City, to sack him now is inexplicable, unforgivable and gut-wrenchingly sad," said former Foxes striker Gary Lineker.

'Club interests above sentiment'

Leicester City vice-chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha:

"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."