The football universe was left in shock, outrage and disgust after Claudio Ranieri was ruthlessly axed as Leicester City manager on Thursday evening; a confirmation of how cruel the game of football could be sometimes.
Ranieri is the greatest manager in the history of Leicester and still the reigning Premier League title-winning coach – but it doesn’t change the fact that the Italian manager is jobless at the moment just like many others.
This was the same coach who achieved the unimaginable last season – transforming a struggling Foxes team into champions in less than a year.
And barely nine months after, he has been booted out of the club and straight to the labour market for apparently winning the league.
Here are four things Nigerian coaches can learn from his dismissal.
- No manager is immune to sack
No one saw this coming, not after a solid display in Spain which culminated in a 2-1 defeat to Sevilla in the Champions League on Wednesday; but eventually, it did happen. Ranieri’s shocking dismissal is clear evidence that in modern day football, no manager is untouchable; not even the likes of Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho. But it was the manner the 65-year-old was shown off the premises that has prompted questions about basic loyalty and decency in football and how a worldwide feel good sports story can end in such an appalling manner.
- No one cares about last season
Ranieri achieved legendary status for his feat last season – one which the club’s board would only have dreamt of or fantasised about. But all that counted for nothing when the same Thai owners decided to fire the Italian – which emphasises the fact that there’s short-term memory in football nowadays. Ranieri, consequently, becomes the second successive manager to be axed after winning the league, following the path of Mourinho at Chelsea. The Italian will forever be remembered as that manager who achieved the unthinkable with the Foxes one season and still lost his job midway through the next.
- Board’s backing guarantees nothing
It is gradually becoming a ritual these days to see managers get fired almost immediately they receive the backing of their board. This exact scenario played out once again in the case of Ranieri, who received overwhelming support from his superiors early in February, only to be axed a couple of weeks after.
- Never underestimate your own players
Ranieri’s incredible accomplishment last season was largely due to the unwavering support and commitment he got from his players; who showed great character and strength against all odds. However, it is alleged that these same players turned their backs on him and recommended his sack to the club’s owner. According to the Mirror, his own stars got frustrated over his tinkering considering the Italian has changed everything from the line-up to even the post-match menu.
