Claudio Ranieri may not have been the longest serving manager in Leicester City's history, but he definitely had the most impact in a short period of time. The legendary Foxes gaffer unfathomably won the Premier League and steered the collective toward continental prestige, cementing a legacy that remains etched into the very masonry of King Power Stadium.
Yet that golden era preceded sharp domestic decline, leading to his relief of duty under rather strange circumstances which still polarise the Blue Army. Here is the truth: he was nosediving towards relegation. Therefore, the decision to part ways was arguably necessary, though it remained a professional severance as tough as they come.
​Nevertheless, Ranieri is loved and respected at City; he remains such a consummate gentleman that bitterness finds no harbour in his soul, and the ignominy of the sacking is never mentioned. The Italian head coach's only wishes for the club are overwhelmingly positive; he regularly speaks fondly of his past tenure and maintains a palpable affection for those residing in the LE2 postcode.
Claudio Ranieri on Leicester City
As a matter of fact, the Roman is particularly upset at the East Midlands side's contemporary plight. Having watched from afar as the club surrendered its top flight dignity, he was deeply saddened by their precarious Premier League yo-yo status.
"Yes, that's unbelievable [reacting to League One demotion]"Ranieri - sporty.com
​The most recent regression, however, has proven a bridge too far for the so-called Tinkerman's composure. The prospect of the former champions falling to League One has really upset Ranieri, who views such a steep descent as a tragic betrayal of the heights they once scaled together.
"I'm sorry to see them relegated."
For a man who orchestrated the greatest sporting miracle of the modern age, seeing the Foxes languish in the third tier is an kind of indignity. One that strikes at the heart of his enduring blue affinity.
"Seeing them in League One really saddens me a lot."
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