Was Claudio Ranieri's Leicester sacking justified, unfair or inevitable? Have your say
Jose Mourinho has said Claudio Ranieri's sacking by Leicester within months of winning the Premier League title is symptomatic of "the new football".
Ranieri was dismissed on Thursday night with the Foxes just one point above the relegation zone, having only secured an incredible and improbable championship in May.
Mourinho experienced similar treatment at Chelsea. He led the London club to the 2014-15 title, but was dismissed in December 2015 after a series of dreadful results and what was described as "palpable discord" with his players by technical director Michael Emenalo.
The Portuguese, who succeeded Ranieri at Stamford Bridge when his first spell at the club began in 2004, clearly sees the Italian's exit as further proof of how ruthless football has become at the highest level.
He even posted a picture of himself and Ranieri smiling, and wrote on Instagram: "Champion of England and Fifa manager of the year. Sacked. That's the new football. Keep smiling amico. Nobody can delete the history you wrote."
There has been a mixed reaction on Twitter, from this...
After all that Claudio Ranieri has done for Leicester City, to sack him now is inexplicable, unforgivable and gut-wrenchingly sad.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) February 23, 2017
Is that it then? Has the game officially gone?? #Ranieri
— Alan Smith (@9smudge) February 23, 2017
To this...
Will be controversial/unpopular but Ranieri had to go. Dreadful performances, bewildering tactics & team selection. Lost the players #lcfc
— John Percy (@JPercyTelegraph) February 23, 2017
It's very sad that Ranieri has lost his job. But Leicester will believe they had to do what was best to keep them in the Premier League.
— Jason Burt (@JBurtTelegraph) February 23, 2017
But what do you think?
Did he need to go? Did he deserve more time? Had he lost the dressing room? How much are the players to blame?
Place you comments below and join the debate...
