Football is a very funny game indeed and last night at the King Power Stadium, we realised that once again. How do Leicester go from being winless in 2017, goal-less in 2017, (without a goal in 540 minutes in 2017) which even culminated in the sacking of the the best ever manager in Leicester City’s history Claudio Ranieri to scoring 3 goals in 60 minutes.
What we witnessed on Monday night was a retro-Leicester side, it was a throwback to last season where the Foxes destroyed everyone with their brand of football (play it long and Vardy chases like a dog) . We saw that yesterday again, with Jamie Vardy’s goal plus the verve and energy Leicester brought o the table against Liverpool.
But why did this happen after the Srivaddhanaprabba’s wielded the axe on Saint Ranieri? Did the players sabotage their former manager? Questions begging for answers but the most important answer on a personal level for me is that Leicester’s emphatic result against Liverpool has instantaneously vindicated the management’s decision to sack Claudio Ranieri.
Sometimes when a team is on a downward slide, a change of tack on the bench is needed, irrespective of the quality of manager. Craig Shakespeare won’t get the Leicester job long-term but the team will benefit from a change of ideas. Would Claudio Ranieri had won this game had he not been sacked? Hindsight is 20-20 but the Foxes have claimed their first major scalp since Manchester City late in 2016.
Whoever Leicester decide to take over fulltime still has a lot of work to do, Riyad Mahrez is still struggling, the defence line is aging and Leicester need dynamism tactically. Juergen Klopp obviously helped Jamie Vardy rediscover his groove by defending too high plus playing helpless Lucas Leiva in central defence. There are positives though, Wifred Ndidi has shown he will be pivotal (more tackles than any player on the pitch) Kasper Schmeichel, dependable, Danny Drinkwater, gradually returning to form and the fans always supportive.
I insist that Leicester have too much quality to be relegated, they are out of the drop-zone but its still a long road to safety, they need to go an positive streak to be rest assured and maybe Claudio Ranieri was right, the game against Sevilla in the Champions League was the needed tonic to change their fortunes, it was just a shame that he wasn’t the man to change their fortune this season.
Opinion: Leicester City And A Familiar Practice | By: Victor Olugbemiro
The sacking of Claudio Ranieri by the Leicester City Football Club management gives credence to the saying that “success has killed more men than bullets.” Reading all the back stories, it becomes clear that no one in the hierarchy could manage the pressures of success. Players wanting better contracts, egos becoming inflated, management beginning to micro manage (some board members started attended training sessions on some occasions) and the manager feeling the need to change a winning formula, possibly because of the departure of Kante.
Winning the league came with new and unanticipated expectations, not limited to competing in the revered Champions League. Now they became title contenders from the start of the season, now they became the team to beat. Now they’re players had started getting national call ups (e.g Danny Drinkwater). Everybody was now under pressure to do far more than avoid relegation which had been their only objective since their promotion to the EPL a few seasons ago.
Blackburn Rovers who won the league in ’95 were relegated two seasons later; got promoted and were relegated again and have since been wallowing in the Championship. I don’t know their back story, but Leicester seems headed in the same direction and sacking Ranieri appears to be the most rational decision under the circumstances.
Liverpool and Arsenal are clubs that haven’t won anything tangible in recent times, but I don’t see them crumbling when they eventually do. So what will be the difference?
Chelsea and Man City metamorphosed from mediocrity to winning and challenging for titles overnight and have remained serious contenders so far. So what is the difference? I think they anticipated success and were ready for it when it came. It therefore becomes dangerous for one to happen upon greatness.
For Leicester, the way forward is inward. They shouldn’t have sacked the manager, but that milk has been spilt already. They need to eat the humble pie once more and dispose of the debilitating trappings of overnight success. They need to listen to reason and become a team once more. They need to fight as one man and stop pointing accusing fingers. They need to take responsibility. Till then, down the hill they shall continue to tumble till they reach rock bottom.
‘Nobody can delete the history you wrote’ – Jose Mourinho pays tribute to Ranieri
No one understand’s Claudio Ranieri’s situation better than Jose Mourinho or Pellegrini and Mancini.
They all have been there.
Mourinho wore those shoes not too long ago. A year ago to be precise. He was shown the exit door seven months after guiding Chelsea to Premier League victory. The Portuguese took to his instagram page to send a heartfelt message to his colleague who was fired yesterday as Leicester City coach.
The Manchester United coach wrote, “CHAMPION OF ENGLAND and FIFA MANAGER of THE YEAR⚽️.sacked.
Thats the new football claudio.keep smiling AMICO?.nobody can delete the history you wrote.”
John Terry, Mourinho hail Claudio Ranieri
Chelsea captain, John Terry and former club manager, Jose Mourinho have sent some heart-warming messages to Leicester City coach, Claudio Ranieri in the wake of Leicester City’s iconic Premier League title victory. The Italian football manager who steered the club to its fist Premier League title revealed he is still reveling in amazing feeling.
Mourinho, who once branded the former player a failure with the mentality of someone who doesn’t need to win acknowledged his huge influence in the club’s groundbreaking feat. In a statement issued by his management company CAA Sports, Mourinho said: “I want to congratulate everyone connected to Leicester City; players, staff, owners and fans. “I lost my title to Claudio Ranieri and it is with incredible emotion that I live this magic moment in his career.”
John Terry also paid glowing tribute to the 64 year-old. “I’m 100% pleased for Claudio. He’s different class and a great person – credit to him and the players” He wrote.
Jose Mourinho to manage England
Edging nearer to Old Trafford hot-seat?
Former Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho will be involved in Soccer Aid; a match which raises money for children’s charity in UNICEF. While he would be manage the England team, Leicester City’s Claudio Ranieri would be in charge of the Rest of the World.
Both of them will be assisted by singer Robbie Williams and Sunderland boss, Sam Allardyce. The match would be played at Old Trafford on June 5.
“I want to be the first one to win the Soccer Aid trophy for both teams. Sam and I will make a very good partnership and it will be a great feeling for Claudio to finally lose a match. “I hope the organisers can help me now with an English passport.’’ The Portuguese said.
“For Soccer Aid’s 10th anniversary, it is a great honour that Robbie Williams has asked me to manage the Rest of the World XI and I’m looking forward to helping them defend their title.’’ Ranieri added.
Leicester city appoints Ranieri as manager
Leicester city have announced the appointment of Claudio Ranieri as the club’s new manager.
Ranieri who is making a return to the premier league 11years after he left Chelsea will be replacing Nigel Pearson who was sacked by Leicester in June for “fundamental differences in perspective”.
The 63yr old’s last job was with Greece and he was fired months into his tenure after managing just a single draw in four matches in the European championship qualifiers.
Ranier have expressed his excitement in returning to the premier league.
“Since I left Chelsea I have dreamt of another chance to work in the best league in the world again,” he said. “I wish to thank the owner, his son and all the executives of the club for the opportunity they are giving me. Now I’ve only one way for returning their trust: squeeze all my energies to getting the best results for the team.”