Claudio Ranieri sacked by Leicester City: A timeline of his reign

By Patrick Surlis

Image: Claudio Ranieri and Marc Albrighton pose with the Premier League trophy

Claudio Ranieri has been sacked by Leicester just nine months after their historic Premier League title triumph.

The Italian leaves the King Power Stadium with the Foxes just one point above the relegation zone after a dismal title defence left them in danger of the drop.

From his unexpected appointment in July 2015 to his sacking less than two years later, here are the key moments in his remarkable Leicester tenure...

Ranieri appointed - July 13 2015

The Italian is named Leicester boss on a three-year contract, succeeding Nigel Pearson who was sacked in June having led the club to Premier League safety.

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Signs N'Golo Kante - August 3 2015

Kante becomes Ranieri's first signing at the King Power, joining Leicester from French club Caen on a four-year deal. The midfielder becomes an integral piece of Leicester's title-winning team.

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Ex-Leicester player Tony Cottee says Ranieri had earned the right to see the season out

Opening-day win - August 8 2015

The Foxes go 3-0 up after 25 minutes against Sunderland on the first day of the 2015/16 Premier League season, with goals from Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez. They win the match 4-2 and top the league on goal difference.

Playing for pizza - October 24 2015

Ranieri takes his side for pizza as a reward for keeping their first clean sheet of the season; a 1-0 triumph over Crystal Palace.

Vardy breaks the record - November 28 2015

The former non-league forward makes Premier League history against Manchester United, breaking Ruud van Nistelrooy's record by scoring in his 11th consecutive game. After 14 matches, Leicester are second to Man City on goal difference.

Image: Ranieri pictured with Leicester striker Jamie Vardy

Beating Chelsea to go top - December 13 2015

Ranieri guides Leicester to a 2-1 victory over his former club at the King Power. Chelsea, who are defending champions, then sack Jose Mourinho with the club one point above the relegation zone.

Victory at the Etihad - February 6 2016

The Foxes lay down a huge marker at the home of their nearest title rivals. Two goals from Robert Huth and an inspired individual effort by Mahrez send Leicester five clear at the top of the table.

Image: Riyad Mahrez celebrates during Leicester's win at the Etihad last season

Heartbreak in north London- February 14 2016

Having played much of the second half with 10 men following Danny Simpson's dismissal, Leicester concede twice in the final 20 minutes - including a stoppage-time winner by Danny Welbeck - to lose 2-1 at the Emirates. Two points separate top-of-the-table Leicester and third-place Arsenal after 26 games.

'Dilly ding, dilly dong' - March 4 2016

In a March press conference, Ranieri reveals his unique training tactic for dozy players who aren't listening to his instructions - he shouts 'Dilly ding, dilly dong, wake up!'

Battle at the Bridge - May 3 2016

Tottenham squander a two-goal lead in a bad-tempered game at Stamford Bridge to crown Leicester top-flight champions for the first time in their history.

Bocelli serenades the Foxes - May 7 2016

Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli kicks off the title celebrations with a pre-match performance at the King Power, before Ranieri's champions are presented with the trophy following a 3-1 win over Everton.

Image: Leicester celebrate winning the Premier League in May last season

Ranieri scoops awards - May 16 2016

The Italian is named LMA Manager of the Year on May 16 and Premier League Manager of the Season two days later.

Sells N'Golo Kante to Chelsea - July 16 2016

Having starred for Leicester's title-winning team, Kante turns down the offer of an improved deal at the King Power and moves to Chelsea for £32m on a five-year deal.

Agrees new long-term Leicester contract - 10 August 2016

Ranieri pens a new four-year contract with the Foxes as they prepare to begin their first ever Premier League title defence.

Opening-day defeat - 13 August 2016

Relegation favourites Hull shock Ranieri's defending champions with a 2-1 victory at the KCOM Stadium on the first day of the season. It is the first time the title holders start a season with a defeat nice 1989, when Arsenal lost at Manchester United.

Image: Leicester captain Wes Morgan pictured during the opening day defeat to Hull

Qualify for Champions League knockout stage - November 22 2016

In their first ever Champions League campaign, a 2-1 victory over Club Brugge seals Leicester's progress to the knockout stage with a game to spare. They draw Sevilla in the last 16.

Worst ever title defence - December 3 2016

Leicester's 2-1 defeat to bottom club Sunderland prompts Ranieri to concede his team are in a relegation battle. The defeat leaves them with 13 points from 14 games; the worst return for any defending champion in Premier League history.

Ranieri wins 2016 Best FIFA Men's Coach - January 9 2017

Ranieri wins FIFA's award for the best coach in Men's football in 2016, beating competition from Portugal's Fernando Santos and Real Madrid's Zinedine Zidane. Leicester are 14th in the Premier League table with 21 points from 20 games.

Image: Claudio Ranieri was named FIFA Coach of the Year for 2016

Ranieri receives vote of confidence - February 7 2017

Leicester release a statement giving Ranieri their "unwavering support" with the club one point above the relegation zone after 24 games. The Italian is under pressure after a run of two wins from their previous 15 league matches.

FA Cup exit to League One Millwall - February 18, 2017

After suffering a damaging Premier League defeat to relegation rivals Swansea, Leicester suffered a shock FA Cup fifth-round defeat to League One Millwall, who played much of the second half with 10 men. Afterwards, Ranieri questioned his team's commitment and called on them to be like "gladiators".

Image: Leicester suffered an embarrassing FA Cup defeat to Millwall

Fightback in Sevilla - February 22, 2017

Leicester were outplayed for much of their Champions League last-16 meeting with Sevilla, but a late strike from Jamie Vardy gave them a vital away goal. After weeks of misery, the fightback provided some much-needed encouragement.

Ranieri sacked - February 23, 2017

The decision to sack Ranieri came less than 24 hours after the final whistle in Andalucia. "This has been the most difficult decision we have had to make in nearly seven years since King Power took ownership of Leicester City," said vice chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha in a statement. "But we are duty-bound to put the Club's long-term interests above all sense of personal sentiment, no matter how strong that might be."

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