OWNER VISIT TAKES HEAT OFF RANIERI
Leicester CITY’s owner is flying in from thailand today to assure claudio ranieri his job is safe.
Vichai srivaddhanaprabha issued a public statement of support yesterday and had not intended to attend the FA cup replay against Derby. Now he feels the scrutiny on ranieri warrants his attendance.
Sportsmail understands ranieri is preparing to make several changes to his side for the match in a clear sign sunday’s Premier League game at swansea is more important.
He was in an ebullient mood at his press conference yesterday, no doubt buoyed by the vote of confidence issued by the club moments before he began answering questions.
He particularly enjoyed extending the metaphor he first used at chelsea when negative reports began to bite. ‘Now there are a lot of sharks and i am on the windsurfer,’ he said, with a smile and a hand gesture in response to questions about his position.
‘i accept this. this is our life. Last season was a fairytale, this season is not a fairytale, but it is alive. Now it is important to be positive without bad, bad words.’
the bad word in particular was ‘relegation’ and it should become clear how much emphasis is being placed on avoiding the drop when the team sheet comes out tonight. Wes Morgan will be rested for the first time this season, so Marcin Wasilewski and Yohan Benalouane are expected to start. Bartosz Kapustka is also in contention.
the club’s owner has stressed the importance of 40 league points to ranieri and while rotation brings a risk of defeat by championship opposition, Leicester would pay that price to help get a win in south Wales.
emphasising unity was the order of the day for Leicester after it emerged unrest has developed between ranieri and his players and staff over tactics and communication.
Yesterday the club took the bold step of releasing a statement, which read: ‘in light of recent speculation, Leicester city Football club would like to make absolutely clear its unwavering support for its first-team manager, claudio ranieri. the entire club is and will remain united behind its manager and behind its players, collectively and firmly focused on the challenges ahead.’
ranieri said the public backing did not come at his request and laughed when it was proposed a vote of confidence can be considered a kiss of death in england. ‘in italy too,’ he chuckled.
He rejected the suggestion his relationship with his team was strained. ‘it is the same as last season,’ he said. ‘i speak the same sh***y english and they understand me.
‘i say to my players, “My door is always open”. sometimes i come to them and sometimes they come to me. it’s a fantastic relationship.
‘this season it’s more because they think it is well we stay together to improve the situation.’