CRAIG IN THE SHAKE-UP TO BE A LEGEND
LEICESTER boss Craig Shakespeare will join an awesome foursome of dug-out giants today if the Foxes beat Stoke.
Shakespeare will become the only Englishman to win his first four Premier League games as a manager if he extends his 100 per cent record with victory over the Potters.
And Claudio Ranieri’s former No.2 would become just the fifth boss to achieve the feat after big-hitters Jose Mourinho, Guus Hiddink, Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola.
“To be mentioned in the same breath as them is unbelievable,” said Shakespeare, who is in charge at the King Power Stadium for the rest of the season.
“I take great pride in that if it happens but the rewards are secondary to the team and the bigger picture.
“We’ve spoken about there being more twists and turns to come and we have to make sure we do our job – and our job starts with trying to win the game against Stoke.”
Shakespeare has beaten Liverpool, Hull and West Ham since replacing the sacked Ranieri as well as guiding the Foxes to the last eight of the Champions League.
And victory today could take his side nine points clear of the relegation zone as Shakespeare looks to push his claims to stay in charge next season. He confirmed last night that his current deal as boss expires on June 30, after which his assistant manager’s contract will kick in again.
“With all the records, I’m very conscious you have to keep a bit of humility about it,” said Shakespeare, who has won all five of his games as a manager, including one as West Brom caretaker.
“We know that it wasn’t so long ago that our form was being questioned. We know that at the moment we are playing with a lot of confidence. “But that word ‘humility’ has to be important from my point of view towards the players to keep them levelheaded. “We have to make sure there is no complacency. We know in football every game is different.
“Stoke will be a very big test. It is one we will be ready for but we have to keep our feet firmly on the ground.
“We are not safe. There are a lot of twists and turns to come and we’re proof of that – three games ago in the Premier League we were down there and people were writing us off. Form can turn quickly.”
Shakespeare will again be without captain Wes Morgan (above) because of a back injury and the centre-back could also miss Tuesday’s home game against Sunderland.
He sat out the win at West Ham after playing in the previous 88 Premier League games.