Claudio Ranieri Sacked As Leicester Manager

Leicester City sacked manager Claudio Ranieri on Thursday night less than a year after their incredible run to the Premier League title.

With the Foxes hovering just one point above the relegation zone, the Italian was relieved of his duties after the team returned home from Wednesday night's 2-1 Champions League defeat to Sevilla.

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.

 

One of the first to react to the news was former Leicester striker Gary Lineker, who wrote on Twitter: 'Claudio Ranieri? Sacked? Really? Dilly Ding Dilly Game's Gone.'

The quote was in reference to Ranieri's joyous 'Dilly ding, dilly dong' reaction when Leicester secured Champions League football en route to their miraculous title triumph last season.

Lineker added: 'After all that Claudio Ranieri has done for Leicester City, to sack him now is inexplicable, unforgivable and gut-wrenchingly sad.'

Sportsmail columnist and former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher was more blunt, describing Leicester's decision as an 'absolute joke.'

His Sky Sports colleague Gary Neville wrote: 'Winning the Premier League the 'New Poisoned Chalice.' Conte sacked next season!!'

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho posted an affectionate tribute to Ranieri, posting on Instagram a picture of the pair together and the message: 'CHAMPION OF ENGLAND and FIFA MANAGER OF THE YEAR. Sacked. That's the new football claudio. Keep smiling AMICO [sic]. Nobody can delete the history you wrote.'

 

Other personalities from the football world and beyond weighed in on social media, with Burnley midfield Joey Barton tweeting: 'Funny old game football. Can't help but feel sorry for Claudio Ranieri.'

 

Ray Parlour wrote: 'Had a Weston super [mare]. Ranieri sacked. Back to the drawing board.'

Television personality James Corden wrote on Twitter: 'It's an outrage that Ranieri has been sacked! Crazy decision.'

Piers Morgan, meanwhile, posted an image of Leicester's owners Vichai and Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, writing: 'If you've got any decency, @LCFC fans, you will drive these disgusting clowns out of your club asap.'

REFERENCE: dailymail.