Claudio Ranieri appointed Leicester City boss
Published:
Leicester City, 4/1 relegation chances with Coral, have named ex-Chelsea coach Claudio Ranieri as their new manager on a three-year deal, succeeding Nigel Pearson at the King Power Stadium after his sacking in June.
The 63-year-old has reportedly beaten the likes of former Foxes boss Martin O’Neill and ex-player Neil Lennon to the role. Ranieri, who has coached extensively in Italy, as well as sides in Spain and France, last worked as head coach of the Greece national team last year, but failed to win any of his four matches in charge.
“I am so glad to be here at a club with such great tradition as Leicester,” Ranieri told the East Midlands outfit’s official website. “Since I left Chelsea I have dreamed of a chance to work in the best league in the world again.”
BREAKING: We're delighted to introduce Claudio Ranieri as our new First Team Manager! #lcfc #WelcomeClaudio pic.twitter.com/ftjvCUz3Yh
— Leicester City (@OfficialFOXES) July 13, 2015
Axed from Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2004 by Blues owner Roman Abramovich in favour of Jose Mourinho, Ranieri was renowned for seldom naming the same starting XI for consecutive games. This earned him the nickname the ‘Tinkerman’.
Foxes vice-chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said: “It is my great pleasure to welcome Claudio Ranieri – a man of remarkable experience and knowledge that will lead us into the next phase of our long-term plan for Leicester City.
“His achievements in the game, his knowledge of English football and his record of successfully coaching some of the world’s finest players made him the outstanding candidate for the job and his ambitions for the future reflect our own.
“To have attracted one of the world’s elite managers speaks volumes both for the progress Leicester City has made in recent years and for the potential that remains for the club’s long-term development.”
A series of experienced coaches, including O’Neill, another old Chelsea coach in Guus Hiddink and Sam Allardyce, were all linked to the vacancy. The Foxes are 11/4 chances to finish in the top 10 this season.
