Mancini the man to replace axed Ranieri?
LONDON: Former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is the bookmakers’ favourite to replace compatriot Claudio Ranieri as Leicester City manager after the Italian was sacked by the Premier League champions on Thursday.
British bookmaker Sky Bet was offering odds of 6/4 on Mancini taking over relegation-threatened Leicester, while William Hill had the 2011/12 Premier League-winning coach at 13/8.
“I am sorry for my friend Ranieri. He will remain in the history of Leicester City, in the heart of Leicester fans and all football lovers,” Mancini tweeted.
Mancini, who left Inter Milan last August, won the Premier League with City in 2012.
For mer Leicester manager Nigel Pe a r s o n is second-favourite for the job, with Alan P a r d e w, Guus Hiddink, Neil Lennon, Frank de Boer and Gary Rowett the other leading contenders.
Ranieri is a hugely popular figure after leading 5 000-1 outsiders Leicester to the title last season, even though the team are now just a point and a place away from relegation.
In England, wellknown soccer commentators were quick to criticise Ranieri’s dismissal.
Former England captain Gary Lineker said in a BBC radio interview: “What he did last year was extraordinary.
“I think the lack of gratitude from the owners or whoever was involved in the decision, beggars belief.
“You could explain it in some ways as a panic decision, and for me a wrong decision. It’s very sad,” he said.
Manchester United manager José Mourinho, who was sacked by Chelsea in December 2015, less than a year after winning the title, posted a message of support for Ranieri on Instagram.
“Champion of England and Fifa Manager of the Year. Sacked. That’s the new football, Claudio. Keep smiling AMICO (friend). Nobody can delete the history you wrote,” said Mourinho, whose last game in charge of Chelsea ended in defeat by Leicester.
For mer Liver pool defender Jamie Carragher called the decision an “absolute joke”.
“I think a lot of people wouldn’t have wanted to see Leicester go down with Ranieri as the manager but I think a lot of that sympathy will go now,” he told Sky Sports.
“They were everyone’s second team but that’s well gone now … I’m devastated for him. A lot of questions have got to be asked of the owners and the players.
“I think they should have a statue of him there and they should start that in the morning.”
Meanwhile, Stoke City defender Geoff Cameron hopes to end a frustrating four months in the treatment room and is aiming to return to first team action for Stoke’s trip to White Hart Lane tomorrow.
The 3 1 - ye a r- o l d returned home to the United States last month to get a second opinion on the rare MCL injury that has kept him out since Stoke’s 2-0 victory against Hull City in October. He is eager to be on Mark Hughes’ team sheet this weekend.
“It’s been a frustrating four months and I didn’t think it was going to be this long,” Cameron said. “There have been good days and bad days but the last week or two have been great because I’m getting back on the pitch and kicking a ball and I don’t have pain.”
Stoke returned from their annual six-day team-bonding break in Dubai on Wednesday and the US international says getting together has also had a positive impact on his recovery.
“I was in full training in Dubai and happy with the way it (rehabilitation) is going. Hopefully I will be available for the team (tomorrow),” said Cameron, whose injury lay-off was his longest in five years at the club.
Boston-bor n Cameron, who made the move to the English Premier League from Houston Dynamo in July 2012, says the team knows this weekend’s match will be tough.
“They’ re f l ying, they’re playing some of the best football that they ever have,” he said.
Stoke have suffered just one defeat in their last six games but travel to London this weekend to face a Spurs side that still have hopes of catching league leaders Chelsea.
Spurs were eliminated from the Europa League by Gent in midweek. – Reuters