Craig Shakespeare Named Leicester City Manager, Agrees on 3-Year Contract

Leicester City have named Craig Shakespeare as the permanent successor to previous boss Claudio Ranieri after the English tactician led the Foxes to a strong finish in the 2016-17 season.

Shakespeare had held the position on an interim basis since Ranieri's dismissal in February, but the club announced its decision to reward him for a promising start as chief.

Sky Sports News HQ confirmed the deal until 2020:

The statement released by Leicester quoted Shakespeare, who said:

“This is a really exciting opportunity for me to continue along this new path in my career and to continue to work with a club and a group of staff I’ve grown extremely close to. I’m grateful to the owners and the Board of Directors for their continued faith and support."

Ranieri's final months in charge at the King Power Stadium were tumultuous, where a dismal start to the club's Premier League title defence ended with his sacking amid speculation of a players' betrayal, per BBC Sport.

It was therefore all the more surprising to see results instantly turn back closer to that shown during the 2015-16 title run after Shakespeare's interim appointment, and Squawka indicated he may be a managerial prodigy:

Shakespeare served as assistant to former Foxes chief Nigel Pearson from 2011 to 2015, at which point he remained in the position following Ranieri's move to the King Power.

His loyalty to the team is now paying dividends as he prepares to head into his first full season as a senior manager, and The Times' Henry Winter gave Shakespeare's recent promotion a vote of confidence:

The Telegraph's John Percy was another rallying behind Leicester's decision to hand their helmsman a new deal:

Leicester finished their first season under Shakespeare's charge 12th in the Premier League standings, although that was a lot better than the potential relegation battle they were moving toward under Ranieri.

The new chief may not be expected to return the Foxes to English title contention just yet, but with a three-year deal providing a sturdy foundation, Leicester seem adamant to build with him mapping the blueprint.