Ranieri says final goodbyes to Leicester players and staff
Claudio Ranieri's sacking at Leicester City shook the world of sport, with some taking a business-like stance in backing his firing, and plenty of others bemoaning a sorry end to a fairy tale.
The Italian is maintaining his characteristic humility and class, though, spending 45 minutes at the Foxes' Belvoir Drive training ground on Saturday to bid a final farewell to his former players and staff. On his way out, he took a few moments to talk with Sky Sports News HQ reporter Rob Dorsett.
"I feel good now, because of what we achieved at Leicester," Ranieri said through his car window. "I hope it happens again but it will be very difficult."
Related: Ranieri deserved chance to write final chapter of Leicester fairy tale
When asked if the goodbye to his ex-ranks was an emotional one, Ranieri replied: "No, it was normal."
Leicester's owners, very much the pantomime villains in the controversial ousting of Ranieri, arrived at the east Midlands base by helicopter shortly afterwards, according to Sky Sports' James Dale. They then conducted their own talks with caretaker manager Craig Shakespeare and the players.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, an old adversary of Ranieri from their shared time in Italy, wore the initials CR on his training wear during Friday's press conference, and compared the sacking to when he lost his job at Chelsea. He also had condemning words for the squad if reports of them forcing Ranieri out of the club are true.
"Nobody can delete what Claudio did. If some of the stories (about the players) are true, or just a little bit true, it is difficult to find words to justify that," said Mourinho.
"Probably the season started with a typical selfishness of others - people thinking of new contracts, leaving, more money, forgetting who helped them reach a certain level.
"This is not just football. It is part of the world. Some principles are going away.
"I lived a similar experience, but peanuts compared to Claudio's. But maybe it is Claudio's fault. He is paying for his success."