Leicester backs Ranieri amid miserable title defence
Leicester City is in dire straits in recent weeks, experiencing a turn of fortune significantly worse than the one Chelsea suffered during its title defence last season. The 16th-placed Foxes have failed to score in 520 minutes of play, prompting talk that manager Claudio Ranieri could be dismissed sooner rather than later.
However, Leicester made clear its position on the matter, releasing a statement on Tuesday backing the Italian tactician who led the club to a historic Premier League title in the previous campaign:
In light of recent speculation, Leicester City Football Club would like to make absolutely clear its unwavering support for its First Team Manager, Claudio Ranieri.
While there is a collective appreciation from everyone at the Club that recent form needs to improve, the unprecedented success achieved in recent seasons has been based firmly on stability, togetherness, and determination to overcome even the greatest of challenges.
The entire Club is and will remain united behind its manager and behind its players, collectively and firmly focused on the challenges ahead.
Ranieri: Leicester's Cinderella story nearing unhappily ever after
Leicester is currently toiling to survive a battle for relegation 24 matches into the season, having procured just five wins and losing 13 times thus far. Those results, and the six draws wedged between them, give Leicester a paltry 21 points to build on, with 18th-placed Hull City just one point behind.
But the club's backing of the man shouldn't be taken too resolutely, as fans of Chelsea will recall Jose Mourinho receiving similar backing by the Blues before being fired within the next two months.
An FA Cup win over Derby County would help assuage matters somewhat, as the Foxes remain in contention for England's most historic prize, and a tilt against Sevilla in the Champions League follows in the coming weeks.
Luckily for Leicester, the club's remaining league fixtures include a trip to Swansea, as well as matches against each of the current bottom three of Hull, Sunderland, and Crystal Palace, giving Ranieri plenty of opportunities to separate his club from the threat of relegation.