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Leicester City sack manager Claudio Ranieri

Leicester City have confirmed that they have parted company with their manager less than nine months after he guided them to a historic Premier League title.

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Ranieri says goodbye to Leicester players and staff

Claudio Ranieri (left) with star striker Jamie Vardy. Credit: PA

Claudio Ranieri visited Leicester's training ground on Saturday morning to say goodbye to his former players and staff.

The 65-year-old Italian said on Friday that his "dream died" after his sacking on Thursday night, having led the Foxes to an historic Premier League title last season.

"I don't speak with anybody, just to say thank you to the fans. They are fantastic. Thank you," he said when asked for a quick word by Sky Sports News as he drove away.

On how he was feeling, he said: "I feel good now, because what we achieved in Leicester… I hope it will happen again, but it will be very difficult."

When asked if it had been an emotional meeting with his players, he insisted it had been "normal".

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Ranieri: "I am very sad for the fans, I wish you all the best"

Talking to reporters this afternoon Claudio Ranieri told us he was sad for the fans, and he wishes them all the best.

It came after the former Leicester City manager released a statement following his shock departure from the Foxes yesterday.

Ranieri releases statement following shock sacking by Leicester City

Credit: PA.

Former Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has released a statement this afternoon following his shock departure from the Foxes yesterday, he said:

"Yesterday, my dream died. After the euphoria of last season and being crowned Premier League Champions all I dreamt of was staying with Leicester City, the club I love, for always. Sadly this was not to be. I wish to thank my wife Rosanna and all my family for their never ending support during my time at Leicester. My thanks go to Paolo and Andrea who accompanied me on this wonderful journey. To Steve Kutner and Franco Granello for bringing me the opportunity to become a Champion...."

– Claudio Ranieri.

He went on to add:

"Mostly I have to thanks Leicester City Football Club. The adventure was amazing and will live with me forever. Thank you to all the journalists and the media who came with us and enjoyed reporting on the greatest story in football. My heartfelt thanks to everybody at the club, all the players, the staff, everybody who was there and was part of what we achieved. But mostly to the supporters, you took me in to your hearts from day one and loved me. I love you too. No one can ever take away what we together have achieved, and I hope you think about it and smile everyday the way I always will. It was a time of wonderfulness and happiness that I will never forget. It's been a pleasure and an honour to be a champion with all of you."

– Claudio Ranieri.
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Mancini expresses sympathy for sacked Leicester boss

Mancini is the favourite to replace Ranieri at Leicester. Credit: PA

Roberto Mancini, the favourite to replace Claudio Ranieri as Leicester manager, has expressed his sympathy for his compatriot following his sacking.

Ranieri was dismissed in the wake of his side's 2-1 Champions League defeat to Sevilla on Thursday night, just nine months after leading the Foxes to the most improbable of Premier League title successes.

The Italian defied odds of 5,000-1 to land the title for Leicester, but this season has been a different story, with the club lying just one point above the relegation zone.

Assistant manager Craig Shakespeare and Mike Stowell will take interim charge ahead of Monday's match against Liverpool, but former Manchester City manager Mancini, who had a short spell as a player with the Foxes and is available after leaving Inter Milan last year, is the favourite to replace Ranieri on a permanent basis.

Mancini said on Twitter: "I am sorry for my friend #Ranieri. He will remain in the history of @LCFC, in the heart of #Leicester fans and all football lovers."

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