Claudio Ranieri has been sacked as manager of Leicester City just months after leading the club to a remarkable Premier League title triumph, the Midlands side announced Thursday.
The Italian’s position had come under intense scrutiny this season during a slump that has left the Foxes just a point above the relegation zone.
That follows their startling title triumph, with Leicester 5,000/1 no-hopers before the start of the 2015/16 season.
Not even a gutsy 2-1 loss away to Sevilla in the first leg of a Champions League last 16 tie on Wednesday was enough to spare Ranieri, 65, the sack, even though the statement from Thai-owned Leicester confirming his departure from the King Power Stadium proclaimed him the “most successful manager” in the history of the 133-year-old club.
Here’s a look at how the footballing world reacted to the stunning decision:
After all that Claudio Ranieri has done for Leicester City, to sack him now is inexplicable, unforgivable and gut-wrenchingly sad.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) February 23, 2017
Winning the Premier League the " New Poisoned Chalice "
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) February 23, 2017
Conte sacked next season!!
Absolute Joke. https://t.co/TdKVeR1nJN
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) February 23, 2017
Absolute joke to sack Ranieri! Joke! Where is the loyalty? Disgrace!
— John Arne Riise (@JARiiseOfficial) February 23, 2017
Had Mr Ranieri at Roma.Fantastic person,coach,manager and friend.Learned so much from him as a player and person.Nicest man, hardest worker
— John Arne Riise (@JARiiseOfficial) February 23, 2017
Ranieri sacked by Leicester! Modern football is a joke
— Carl Frampton MBE (@RealCFrampton) February 23, 2017
Just seen Ranieri news. Shocked after last night display! Wins the league & still not afforded the time to fight for safety. Unreal scenes!
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) February 23, 2017
Mourinho: Wins PL 2014/15: sacked.
— Copa90 (@Copa90) February 23, 2017
Ranieri: Wins PL 2015/16: sacked.
Can't get sacked if you don't win the league.
/u/elpadrin0 pic.twitter.com/88I2nrf9RO
Claudio Ranieri sacked! Unfortunate news I think! Wonder how I'd feel if I was a Leicester player right now🤔. Could I have done more 🤔😪
— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) February 23, 2017
Total and utter disgrace. #Ranieri
— michael owen (@themichaelowen) February 23, 2017
CRAZY: Claudio Ranieri's time at Leicester City. 😳 pic.twitter.com/JXC6yUyMdj
— SPORF (@Sporf) February 23, 2017
Hope Leicester get relegated ... Disgusting decision ... Football is one screwed up world ... #Ranieri
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 23, 2017
Cruyff used to say that the worst directors are those that do not know why teams win or why teams lose #leicestercity #Ranieri
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) February 23, 2017
Funny old game football. Can't help but feel sorry for Claudio Ranieri.
— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) February 23, 2017
Ranieri sacked WTF
— Philip Neville (@fizzer18) February 23, 2017
PL winning managers since 2012:
Mancini - sacked
Sir Alex - retired
Pellegrini - sacked
Mourinho - sacked
Ranieri - sacked pic.twitter.com/RuB3d94kYH— CaughtOffside (@caughtoffside) February 23, 2017
Feel for Ranieri. Players massively let him down, as second half last night proved. Fucking ridiculous is our sport, ridiculous.
— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) February 23, 2017
Ranieri goes, Harry's phone rings. You do the math... pic.twitter.com/U7tLPECdZV
— Jake Humphrey (@mrjakehumphrey) February 23, 2017