Albrighton 'angry and upset' at Ranieri sack speculation

Leicester winger Marc Albrighton has denied he had any part in Claudio Ranieri's sacking and has been left "very angry and upset" over the speculation.

The 65-year-old Italian was dismissed on Thursday evening, just nine months after winning a shock Premier League title with the Foxes.

Reports have claimed Albrighton, captain Wes Morgan, Jamie Vardy and Kasper Schmeichel met with the club's owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha following their 2-1 Champions League defeat in Seville on Wednesday, which led to Ranieri's exit.

In a statement released to Press Association Sport, 27-year-old Albrighton said: "I rarely comment on press stories, however I am very angry and upset with The Times' article and other speculation suggesting I was involved in any discussions or meetings regards the manager's departure.

"This is totally incorrect. I had a good relationship with the manager and total respect for what he achieved for the club. I spoke with him after he left and thanked him personally for everything he did for me.

"At the worst time of my family's life, the manager helped me achieve something I didn't think in my wildest dreams would be possible. It helped us to be positive about something when everything was negative.

"The first day I met the manager he told me he believed in me; before the last game of his LCFC reign, he told me the same.

"I will never be truly able to thank him for everything he has helped me achieve and the faith he has shown in me and he knows that I always did my best for him."