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Claudio Ranieri: My Leicester dream has died

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.

In a statement, 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."

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Cottee: Leicester have made 'a real panic decision'

Former Leicester striker Tony Cottee has claimed the club pressed the panic button by sacking manager Claudio Ranieri as other ex-Foxes also expressed their surprise at the Italian's departure.

Ranieri has been sacked by Leicester City. Credit: PA

Alan Smith and Gary Lineker were others questioning the timing of the decision by the club's Malaysian owners, with Leicester fighting a battle against relegation and facing a 2-1 deficit to Sevilla ahead of a Champions League last-16 second leg.

With Leicester at home to Liverpool in a crunch Premier League game on Monday, Cottee expressed his surprise.

He told Sky Sports News:

From that point of view the timing couldn't have been any worse. They've got a massive game coming up against Liverpool on Monday night.

I can only think that something's gone on somewhere or there's been a disagreement and they've obviously come to this decision.

To press the button tonight it sounds like a real panic decision. The one thing I don't know, I don't know what's happening in the dressing room. It's a brave decision but it's a bizarre decision as well, bearing in mind where they are and the stage of the season.

– Former Leicester striker Tony Cottee
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Claudio Ranieri: My Leicester dream has died

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