Claudio Ranieri Talks Leicester Sacking, Defends Former Players

Former Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has said his players did not force him out the club but admitted it was "difficult to motivate" his title-winning side this term.

Speaking to Sky Sports' Monday Night Football (h/t Mark Dobson of the Guardian), the Italian gave a passionate defence of his players but hinted all was not well behind the scenes at the Foxes.

 The former manager said:

"

I don't believe rumours the players spoke to the Leicester owners about sacking me. I can't believe the players killed me. No, no, no.

It wasn't easy. I knew that the year after winning the title would be different. The players had to reset their minds – this wasn't a team used to fighting at the top. We were a little team.

We had to stay calm. The players got to experience something totally different. In pre-season they played against big teams, went all over the world.

"

Raineri also hinted at conflict with others at the club, saying that "maybe it was someone behind me," adding he "had a little problem" last season.

When asked who those people might have been, he said: "I am a serious man, a loyal man. What I have to say, I say face-to-face."

Ranieri was dismissed after Leicester plummeted down the Premier League table during the defence of their title this season.

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