Claudio Ranieri: My Leicester dream has died

Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill has ruled out a return to Leicester City to succeed sacked Claudio Ranieri. O'Neill won the League Cup in 1997 and 2000 as Foxes manager.

The 64-year-old told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I wouldn't be going.

"I'm enjoying the job here (with the Republic) at this moment and we have some big games ahead."

O'Neill was then asked about the possibility of doing both jobs simultaneously.

"I hadn't even thought about it," he said.

"And if that were the case - not talking about myself, but in general if someone were taking time to do two jobs at the same time - I think there would be problems if you didn't get the results on both sides."

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".

Claudio Ranieri has said that he is "very sad" after leaving Leicester City.

He was speaking to ITV News outside his home where fans queued to take pictures with the former manager.

Asked what he has to say to the club's supporters, he said: "I'm very sad for them, I wish you all the best."

Claudio Ranieri has said his "dream died" when Leicester sacked him.

The Italian led the Foxes to last season's Premier League title, but on Thursday he lost his job.

Leicester are battling against relegation this term and decided a change was needed to give the team the best possible chance of survival.

But being removed from his post hurt Ranieri, who said on Friday: "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."

Read Ranieri's full statement on his sacking

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."

Jose Mourinho said Claudio Ranieri's sacking by Leicester within months of winning the Premier League title was symptomatic of "the new football".

Ranieri was dismissed on Thursday night with the Foxes just one point above the relegation zone, having only secured an incredible and improbable championship in May.

Mourinho experienced similar treatment at Chelsea. He led the London club to the 2014-15 title, but was dismissed in December 2015 after a series of dreadful results and what was described as "palpable discord" with his players by technical director Michael Emenalo.

The Portuguese, who succeeded Ranieri at Stamford Bridge when his first spell at the club began in 2004, clearly sees the Italian's exit as further proof of how ruthless football has become at the highest level.

He posted a picture of himself and Ranieri smiling, and wrote on Instagram: "Champion of England and FIFA manager of the year. Sacked. That's the new football. Keep smiling amico. Nobody can delete the history you wrote."

• Leicester City sack manager Claudio Ranieri