Vardy salvages Leicester but Shakespeare’s future unclear

LONDON: Jamie Vardy rescued Leicester City as the deposed Premier League champions ended their rollercoaster season with a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth on Sunday.

Twelve months after being crowned kings of English football at the climax of an incredible titlewinning campaign, Leicester brought down the curtain in far more sedate fashion at the King Power Stadium.

The England striker netted his 16th goal of the season as Leicester finished 12th after a turbulent year that saw boss Claudio Ranieri replaced by his assistant Craig Shakespeare, who led the team away from the relegation zone and into the Champions League quarter-finals.

Junior Stanislas opened the scoring for Bournemouth after just 57 seconds as the Cherries sealed ninth place — the highest league position in their 118-year history.

Leicester’s attention now turns to resolving the future of Shakespeare, with talks expected this week over whether he will stay as boss beyond June.

Shakespeare signed a deal until the end of the season when he took over from Ranieri in February. AFP