Leicester City have sacked manager Claudio Ranieri less than a year after their incredible run to the Premier League title.
“The board reluctantly feels that a change of leadership, while admittedly painful, is necessary in the club’s greatest interest,” read a statement by the club.
The news comes just nine months after he led the Foxes to the unlikeliest of Premier League title wins.
Nigeria duo, Wilfred Ndidi and Ahmed Musa were both brought to the King Power Stadium by the 65-year-old Italian.
Ranieri’s last match in charge 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.
In announcing Ranieri’s departure, the club paid tribute to his achievements as the club’s “most successful…manager of all time” but said their perilous league position required action.
“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, the Leicester board announced their “unwavering support” for the Italian.
“In light of recent speculation Leicester City Football Club would like to make absolutely clear its unwavering support for its first team manager Claudio Ranieri,” the club stated on February 7.
Ranieri leaves the Foxes 17th on the log after garnering a dire 21 points from 25 games.
But the team still stand a chance of progressing to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
