Leicester dismiss Claudio Ranieri

Leicester have parted company with Italian coach Claudio Ranieri, the club confirmed in a statement released shortly after 8pm this evening. The club decided not to wait for the outcome of their Champions League return leg against Sevilla, instead, making changes to the manager's position now. While Ranieri converted himself to a local legend after guiding the Foxes to their first Premier League crown last season, the team has struggled this term and currently sit just one point above the relegation places and made an early exit from the FA Cup.

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Leicester statement

"In a statement, the club said: "Leicester City Football Club has tonight (Thursday) parted company with its First Team Manager, Claudio Ranieri.

Claudio, appointed City manager in July 2015, 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. 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".

Difficult decision over Ranieri

Vice Chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said that it had been the “most difficult decision we have had to make in nearly seven years since King Power took ownership of Leicester City" and thanked the Italian coach for his "outstanding qualities -his skilful management, powers of motivation and measured approach" as well as his "warmth, charm and charisma".

Assistant coach Craig Shakespeare and Mike Stowell taking charge of the squad until a new manager is appointed. Their first game at the helm will be against Liverpool, at home on Monday night.

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