DEFIANT RANIERI CALLS FOXES’ BLUFF

with a member of his backroom staff over studs on the players’ boots.

After last season’s heroics, the Foxes have slumped miserably this season and rumours are growing that the 65-year-old’s job is in jeopardy.

And Ranieri has done little but fan the flames by admitting that if his squad want a new boss, they should ask for change.

He said: “If the players don’t believe in me anymore, they must go to the chairman and ask for change. But I think we are still together.”

It is understood that Ranieri’s position is safe – for now. Crucially, he retains the backing of senior figures at the King Power Stadium.

And that could prove decisive as the Foxes begin their fight to remain in the Premier League.

Director of football Jon Rudkin – who reports into the board of directors – is understood to be behind the Italian and wants to give him time to turn the situation around.

The board is made up of Leicester’s backed former boss Nigel Pearson two years ago when Leicester’s cause appeared hopeless as they lay rooted to the bottom of the Premier League.

And that is one of the key reasons why the Foxes’ hierarchy is unwilling to pull the trigger. However, no one can give the ex-Chelsea boss any guarantees because the mindset of the Thai owners is unknown.

Ranieri added: “Am I under more pressure? Yes, yes, of course. I am a fighter, a positive man and I want to give my positivity to the players who believe – and these players believe we can do something.

“Last season everything was right. Everything they did was gold. This season everything until now is wrong. The difference is confidence.

“What I say to my players is do not lose your confidence.

“We are winners. We are fighters and fighters never lose.”