Claudio
I've thrown out my planned blog for the day to discuss Claudio Ranieri's sacking as Leicester City manager this evening, nine months after taking the team to a historic and completely implausible Premier League triumph. Once known as "The Tinkerman" for his frequent alterations of both tactics and personnel, he had become the talisman, turning a group of journeymen and untested players into champions.
But since then, they've tumbled to 17th place in the league, are a point off relegation and the statistics are damning. They've had one win in fifteen matches in all competitions. To put that into some sort of context, Sunderland are the joint worst team in the league and they've picked up three wins from fifteen. They're yet to score a goal in the league in 2017. Sunderland scored four goals in a half against Crystal Palace on 4th Febuary. Leicester have scored three goals since 10th December. They have been dreadful for months. And I know dreadful.
There's been a lot of speculation that the players have turned on Ranieri but they surely must carry their share of the blame. But ultimately, rightly or wrongly the manager carries the can. Even if he's pulled off one of the greatest achievements in sporting history.
Gary Lineker described the decision as "inexplicable, unforgivable and gut wrenchingly sad". But surely even he will know in the cold light of the day that there's no room for sentiment in the sport any more. If this decision keeps them in the league, they're vindicated to the tune of tens of millions of pounds, regardless of their new found position as one of the most hated clubs in the country. It's a huge gamble, but one that may yet pay off.
A classless and graceless decision perhaps. But there's little point in pretending that this is a classy and graceful sport.
But since then, they've tumbled to 17th place in the league, are a point off relegation and the statistics are damning. They've had one win in fifteen matches in all competitions. To put that into some sort of context, Sunderland are the joint worst team in the league and they've picked up three wins from fifteen. They're yet to score a goal in the league in 2017. Sunderland scored four goals in a half against Crystal Palace on 4th Febuary. Leicester have scored three goals since 10th December. They have been dreadful for months. And I know dreadful.
There's been a lot of speculation that the players have turned on Ranieri but they surely must carry their share of the blame. But ultimately, rightly or wrongly the manager carries the can. Even if he's pulled off one of the greatest achievements in sporting history.
Gary Lineker described the decision as "inexplicable, unforgivable and gut wrenchingly sad". But surely even he will know in the cold light of the day that there's no room for sentiment in the sport any more. If this decision keeps them in the league, they're vindicated to the tune of tens of millions of pounds, regardless of their new found position as one of the most hated clubs in the country. It's a huge gamble, but one that may yet pay off.
A classless and graceless decision perhaps. But there's little point in pretending that this is a classy and graceful sport.
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