Ranieri sacked

Less than a year after defying odds of 5,000-1 to lead Leicester City to the Premier League title, one of the most incredible sporting successes in many years, manager Claudio Ranieri has been sacked by the Foxes.

Premier League champions Leicester have sacked manager Claudio Ranieri less than a year after their incredible run to the title.

With the Foxes hovering just one point above the relegation zone, the Italian was dismissed after the team returned home from Wednesday night’s 2-1 Champions League defeat to Sevilla.

The club paid tribute to his achievements as the club’s “most successful manager of all time” but said their perilous league position required action.

Leicester vice-chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said: “This has been the most difficult decision we have had to make in nearly seven years since King Power took ownership of Leicester City.

“But we are duty-bound to put the club’s long-term interests above all sense of personal sentiment, no matter how strong that might be.

“Claudio has brought outstanding qualities to his office.

“His skilful management, powers of motivation and measured approach have been reflective of the rich experience we always knew he would bring to Leicester City.

“His warmth, charm and charisma have helped transform perceptions of the club and develop its profile on a global scale.

“We will forever be grateful to him for what he has helped us to achieve.

“It was never our expectation that the extraordinary feats of last season should be replicated this season. Indeed, survival in the Premier League was our first and only target at the start of the campaign.

“But we are now faced with a fight to reach that objective and feel a change is necessary to maximise the opportunity presented by the final 13 games.”

Last season, Leicester defied 5,000-1 odds to lift the Premier League trophy just one season after a late escape from relegation under former manager Nigel Pearson.

But this season the Foxes have been unable to replicate such form, and the problems have grown in recent weeks.

They have not won in their last nine outings, since a 2-1 away win at Everton in the FA Cup on January 7, with their last league victory a 1-0 win against West Ham on December 31.

Assistant manager Craig Shakespeare and Mike Stowell will take charge ahead of Monday’s match against Liverpool. Manchester United attacker Wayne Rooney has announced he is staying at Old Trafford.

Momentum had been building about the 31-yearold’s Old Trafford future, with the riches on offer in the Chinese Super League a tantalising prospect.

Rooney’s agent, Paul Stretford, has been in China speaking to interested clubs, but the United and England captain has confirmed he is staying put, although for how long remains to be seen.

Rooney said: “Despite the interest which has been shown from other clubs, for which I’m grateful, I want to end recent speculation and say that I am staying at Manchester United.

“I hope I will play a full part in helping the team in its fight for success on four fronts.

“It’s an exciting time at the club and I want to remain a part of it.”

This season’s lack of playing time had led Roonet to consider his options, but a deal taking him to China before the transfer window closed next week was unlikely, with Beijing Guoan, Guangzhou Evergrande, Jiangsu Suning and Tianjin Quanjian among the interested clubs in the CSL.

Sacked: Claudio Ranieri