"However, domestic results in the current campaign have placed the club's Premier League status under threat." Earlier this month, Leicester gave their "unwavering support" to the Italian. "This has been the most difficult decision we have had to make in nearly seven years since King Power took ownership of Leicester City. But we are duty-bound to put the club's long-term interests above all sense of personal sentiment, no matter how strong that might be. "Claudio has brought outstanding qualities to his office. His skilful management, powers of motivation and measured approach have been reflective of the rich experience we always knew he would bring to Leicester City. His warmth, charm and charisma have helped transform perceptions of the club and develop its profile on a global scale. We will forever be grateful to him for what he has helped us to achieve.
"It was never our expectation that the extraordinary feats of last season should be replicated this season. Indeed, survival in the Premier League was our first and only target at the start of the campaign. But we are now faced with a fight to reach that objective and feel a change is necessary to maximise the opportunity presented by the final 13 games." Leicester's next game in their fight for Premier League survival comes when they host Liverpool on Monday. Assistant manager Craig Shakespeare and first-team coach Mike Stowell will take charge of the squad until a new manager is appointed. Ranieri's compatriots Paolo Benetti and Andrea Azzalin, both key members of his coaching staff, have left the club. "The board will now begin the recruitment process and will make no further comment until that process is completed," Leicester added.
