Updated at 15.05
BEING SACKED BY Leicester City after orchestrating the club’s fairytale Premier League title triumph came as a huge shock to Claudio Ranieri, the Italian has said, though he won’t go into further details until his appearance on Sky Sports show Monday Night Football next month.
Ranieri was axed in February, as the reigning champions battled against relegation amid a disappointing attempt to retain their crown.
Their fortunes have since improved under caretaker Craig Shakespeare, the Foxes having even reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League at the expense of Sevilla.
Speaking at the Rebibbia prison near Rome, former Chelsea, Valencia, Juventus, Roma and Inter boss Ranieri discussed his emotions upon being shown the door at King Power Stadium.
Thinking of the dismissal by Leicester, the first thing that comes to mind is a sense of surprise even more than of bitterness,” he said.
“I had gone through a lot in my long career, but I’d never experienced anything like that. It was a shock. Even though, at the end of the day, these things happen in football.”
Of his career in football, he added: “This is my world. I started coaching in the Interregionale league in Catanzaro. There were pitches with no grass, at times we had no water, no training equipment. I had to do it all myself.
I never hitched my wagon to anyone, so what I achieved over the years was done with only my results on the field.”
Ranieri also announced he will address his Leicester departure in greater detail during an appearance as a television pundit on Monday Night Football next month.
Sky Sports in England asked me to commentate on a game on 10 April and I accepted,” he said.
“I don’t want to talk about it until then. It all started in England, so it seems right to resume in England.”
Really enjoyed watching the documentary with the ex Utd players becoming owners of Salford, at lot of work/investment involved behind the scenes,, especially from Gary Neville, never liked him as a player, found him very cold and he always seemed aloof, but with his work on the TV since I’ve become a fan, I find his opinions on the game are some of the best around. Best of luck to Salford, if they make it to the championship in the next few years it will be a magnificent achievement to all involved. IMO.
@devils avacado: he was an average player in a great team , a complete failure as a coach and now makes a living criticising better coaches along with the spitting idiot fromLiverpool
@Martin: so,,,, not a big fan then Martin??? That’s ok, you do know how to use a remote control,, don’t you??? ;)
@Martin: gary neville an average player? Lol!
@Martin: take them lemons out of your mouth chap, it ain’t good for u!
@Martin: I agree with ya about him as a player, I thought he was average too ability wise. He was strong mentally and worked hard to hit the levels he did. Always find it hard to understand when pundits are picking the greatest Premiership team he always gets in. Wouldn’t lace Denis irwins boots in my opinion. As for the punditry stuff you don’t have to take it too seriously. It’s interesting because himself and carragher are so invested in their clubs as fans so we can all relate.
@devils avacado: cold and aloof? Interesting way to describe a player?
@Martin: not a Utd fan but calling him an average player is just crazy. He was the best right back for about a decade and one of the best in the premier league era. Very Solid defender and not bad going forward. Wen he lost yard of pace his game suffered cos he was never the fastest to begin.
@Derek Trotter: he’s also a person,, that did interviews when he played…….:)
@Brian Dunne: Jesus I’m a chelsea fan and no love for Utd but Neville average player??? His brother Phil yes he was pants but Gary was a superb full back rarely gotten the better of, and have to say also my fav pundit, can’t listen to carragher his voice goes thru me.
@Dougal67: just to be clear i was laughing at the guy who said neville was average. Phil neville wasn’t “pants” either. Hundreds of games for man utd and captain of everton.
@Brian Dunne: Apologies about Gary, but Phil was pants….
What a waste of a career, was a solid premier league player but pissed it all away. If he wasn’t too fond of the drink and took care of himself he’d easily be in the Ireland squad if not first team and have another few years at a high level.
@simplysuperman69: such a waste. No one ever say to these lads. You have a short career. You can make lots of money if you look after yourself and go on the lash afterward when the shillings are in the bank
@Red wine and chocolate cake: I think it was Rafa Benitez that said, “I don’t want to see any of my players in the pubs or nightclubs,, when they are finished their careers they can buy one”. :)
What an utter waste of a talent