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Never miss a kick-off!Signup +Join the clubGet full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in.Subscribe to our newsletterWhen Claudio Ranieri led unfancied Leicester City to one of the most remarkable title successes in English football history, it seemed unfathomable that the Italian would be out of a job less than a year later.But just nine months after the Foxes stunned the football world, the Italian was out at the King Power Stadium, as Leicesters title defence had turned into a relegation scrap.With the club sitting just one point above the drop zone in February 2017, Craig Shakespeare was given the job of caretaker manager and Ranieri was left to reflect on a whirlwind 18-month period in charge. You may like Claudio Ranieri recalls the crazy odds bookmakers paid out on after Leicester City's title triumph Claudio Ranieri reveals how he celebrated Leicester City's Premier League title Former Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri recalls a memorable phone call from Sir Alex Ranieri on the challenge of following up a miracle title winUnfortunately, the following season didnt go nearly as well, Ranieri recalls to FourFourTwo. I had warned everyone that we couldnt repeat what wed done. It was impossible. Playing both league and Champions League football is extremely demanding if you arent used to it. The physical and mental energy required is enormous.In the league, especially against the bigger sides, the performances were still there. Whether we won or lost, the boys played well. But European football takes a toll and we paid the price in the league, usually against less prestigious teams.The Foxes Champions League campaign saw them top their group ahead of Porto to set up a last-16 tie against Sevilla, in what proved to be Ranieris last stand.Still, our Champions League adventure was wonderful, the Italian continues. We won our group with a game to spare and without conceding a goal in the first four matches. We lost 2-1 at Sevilla in the first leg of the last 16. It was a difficult period in the league wed taken just a single point from the previous six matches. That evening, on the plane home, I was told that I would no longer be the manager.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.I didnt say a word, but honestly, it hurt. Nine months earlier, we had won the Premier League together, but now I was being dismissed? Why? Later, the chairmans son told me the problem was I didnt get on with some English members of the staff. Unbelievable.Already the season before, when we were top of the league, one of the staff members had been speaking badly about me to the players. I called him into my office and asked why he couldnt even give me an answer.At that point I was too focused on the title race, so I simply told the general manager that at the end of the season, wed let him go.In the end we won the title there was such joy, such celebration, that I decided to do nothing. That was a mistake. The following year, he continued speaking negatively about me to the players.A decade on, and Ranieri remains philosophical about the way things panned out at the King Power Stadium.Being sacked is part of a managers career and I accepted it, he continues. I took it badly, but not really much worse than other dismissals Id experienced, because the satisfaction of what wed achieved went far beyond any disappointment. Football is like that.TOPICSLeicester CityPremier LeagueJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromDaniele Verri
