Claudio Ranieri, the man who inspired Leicester City to its geatest season and orchestrated the biggest surprise in Premier League history, has been sacked less than a year after hoisting the EPL trophy.
The Daily Mail first reported that, in the middle of a relegation fight (but with the team still alive in the Champions League knockout stage. The Champions League! Leicester!), Ranieri had been let go.
The news was confirmed by other outlets before Leicester released a statement.
Confirmed - Claudio Ranieri sacked
— Dan Roan (@danroan) February 23, 2017
From Leicester City's statement:
Vice Chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said: “This has been the most difficult decision we have had to make in nearly seven years since King Power took ownership of Leicester City. But we are duty-bound to put the Club’s long-term interests above all sense of personal sentiment, no matter how strong that might be.
“Claudio has brought outstanding qualities to his office. His skilful management, powers of motivation and measured approach have been reflective of the rich experience we always knew he would bring to Leicester City. His warmth, charm and charisma have helped transform perceptions of the Club and develop its profile on a global scale. We will forever be grateful to him for what he has helped us to achieve.
“It was never our expectation that the extraordinary feats of last season should be replicated this season. Indeed, survival in the Premier League was our first and only target at the start of the campaign. But we are now faced with a fight to reach that objective and feel a change is necessary to maximise the opportunity presented by the final 13 games.”
I understand the sentiment but Y'ALL ARE IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE KNOCKOUT STAGE! WITH A CHANCE TO ADVANCE TO THE QUARTERFINALS. Premier League TV money is more important, it seems.
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