April 11 – Claudio Ranieri has finally broken his silence over his controversial sacking at Leicester City by hinting he had been betrayed by an unidentified party – but denied his players contrived to force him out.
To the astonishment and outrage of many neutrals even though his team had plummeted spectacularly, Ranieri was dismissed in February 298 days after leading Leicester to arguably the greatest ever achievement in team sport as shock Premier League champions.
At the time he was sacked, Leicester were one point above the relegation zone. Assistant manager Craig Shakespeare was placed in charge and has presided over five league victories as well as a Champions League last-16 win against much-fancied Sevilla that sent Leicester into this week’s quarter finals.
Ranieri, who has maintained a dignified public silence, now says someone within the club may have been working against him – but not the players as has been mooted.
“I can’t believe my players killed me. No, no, no,” he told Sky Sports. “Maybe it was someone behind me. I had a little problem the year before and we won the title. Maybe this year, when we lose, these people push a little more.”
“I don’t want to say who it is. I am a loyal man. What I had to say, I said face to face.”
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