Leicester miracle-worker Claudio has the job of leading the Cottagers out of chaos

HE WAS finished even before he managed to keep the score down at Liverpool on Sunday. Slavisa Jokanovic was finally put out of his misery yesterday, gone in 60 minutes before Claudio Ranieri was swiftly, ruthlessly announced as his successor.

Owner Shahid Khan had backed Jokanovic to his face – only to go behind his back to replace him with the man who took Leicester from relegation survival to title fantasy (left) two years ago. Ranieri, sacked by the Foxes just a year later, will know exactly how Jokanovic is feeling right now. Ironically, the Serb was Ranieri’s first signing as Chelsea boss 18 years ago. Ranieri is now tasked with cleaning up the mess of a chaotic campaign so far. The Italian will have to heal wounds and restore the confidence of the side, described by his predecessor as playing “like kids” only last week. As is the way with football, his first three matches contain fascinating sub-plots.

The first, at home to Southampton after the international break, is a crucial six-pointer.

The second takes Ranieri back to Chelsea, while the third will be an emotional visit from Leicester.

Khan will be hoping for a bounce by then to justify the dismissal he described as “sensational and fictional” when Mirror Sport predicted it would happen if Jokanovic couldn’t see off either Bournemouth or fellow strugglers Huddersfield.

At that point, Fulham were hurtling back towards the Championship, despite their £100million summer investment after being promoted back in May.

Many outsiders criticising their squad now were insistent at the close of the summer transfer window that they had done terrific business.

Since then, the Cottagers have managed just one Premier League win and gifted their opponents 31 goals in 12 League matches.

Ranieri takes over a side that can’t defend, struggles to score and is baffled by Jokanovic’s tactics.

Heads have dropped, players have stopped listening and the side that came up with such ambition have become the easiest to beat.

In addition, they are tired of being made scapegoats for Jokanovic’s refusal to temper his attacking instincts with some basic defensive awareness.

Defender Tim Ream didn’t help matters with his public rocket up the backsides of his team-mates, accusing them of lacking the character and bottle for the fight after the defeat to Bournemouth.

Those criticisms put a few noses out of joint in the dressing room. Ream was missing from the side beaten at Huddersfield.

Consider also the mystifying treatment of keeper Marcus Bettinelli.

A key figure in last season’s promotion campaign, he was dropped from the squad for