Shakespeare has not done a Bard job!
BOURNEMOUTH manager Eddie Howe feels interim boss Craig Shakespeare has done superbly well to guide Leicester through a testing spell.
The Foxes have ended the campaign safe in mid-table, having looked set to be going from champions to the Championship before boss Claudio Ranieri was sacked at the end of February.
His former assistant Shakespeare has overseen an upturn in fortunes AND taken them to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, where they lost to Atletico Madrid.
It remains to be seen whether Shakespeare, 53, will be given the job full-time at the King Power Stadium next season.
But Howe, 39, has been impressed as he prepares to take the Cherries to Leicester for today’s Premier League finale.
“I think Craig has done an outstanding job,” said Howe, whose own side also pulled clear of the relegation scrap after losing just two matches from the past 10.
“When he took over, they were in trouble – a lot of teams were, including us. Leicester had a really tough run of fixtures and I don’t think that should be underestimated – and they were in the Champions League.
“When you have that level of tournament, it can be very difficult to manage the league programme while that is there.
“They did that very well and managed to pick up some big wins in the Premier League and now they look very comfortable in the position they are in.”
While Leicester’s form has improved since the change in the dugout, Howe does not believe their style of play has altered from their title triumph 12 months ago.
“Tactically and personnel-wise, I don’t think they are too different – there are subtle differences,” added Howe.
Leicester were thumped 6-1 by Tottenham on Thursday so they will be looking to sign off with a much-improved performance.
Howe intends to tackle the 38th game just like any other with prize money up for grabs as they target an eighth-place finish.
“We are reluctant to make too many changes because every position in the league is worth so much,” he said.
MIKE DEVONISH