Premier League champions Leicester City have dismissed manager Claudio Ranieri just nine months after leading the Foxes to the title.
Ranieri was named FIFA coach of the year in 2016 after guiding Leicester to Premier League success in May last year.
The achievement was so unbelievable that bookmakers were offering 5000/1 at the start of the 2015/16 season. But fast forward a season and the 65-year-old has now been told to leave as the club sit one point above the relegation zone with 13 games remaining.
The news came as a huge shock on Thursday night with many fans appalled by the lack of loyalty shown from Leicester. But with five league wins all season, club owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and the board clearly believe it is time for a change in management.
In a statement released by the club on Thursday evening they made it clear that Ranieri's status as 'the most successful Leicester City manager of all time is without question.'
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 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," he added.
