Claudio Ranieri: Leicester City back Italian coach despite poor form
- Football
- 18
Leicester City have given their "unwavering support" to manager Claudio Ranieri despite the reigning Premier League champions being just one point above the relegation zone.
The Italian had been under pressure after a run of just two wins in their last 15 Premier Leagues games.
However, the Foxes said in a statement that "the entire club is and will remain united behind its manager".
"This is not a crisis," Ranieri said following the club's backing.
"When you aren't winning you lose confidence, it is normal."
Leicester are 16th and are without a league win in 2017.
Foxes goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel called the club's title defence "embarrassing" after Sunday's 3-0 defeat at home to Manchester United.
Leicester acknowledged that "recent form needs to improve", but said Ranieri would be given the opportunity to turn things around.
"The unprecedented success achieved in recent seasons has been based firmly on stability, togetherness and determination to overcome the greatest of challenges," the club said.
| Leicester's last two seasons after 24 games | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Position | Points | Won | Lost | Scored | Conceded |
| 2016-17 | 16th | 21 | 5 | 13 | 24 | 41 |
| 2015-16 | 1st | 50 | 14 | 2 | 44 | 26 |
Ranieri has 'fantastic' relationship with players
Ranieri guided Leicester to the Premier League title last season despite the Foxes being 5,000-1 shots.
They won the league by 10 points but face becoming the first defending champions to be relegated since 1938, after winning just five league games so far this season.
Recent reports suggested Ranieri had lost the support of his players, with the 65-year-old's squad tinkering and supposed ban on chicken burgers angering some of the Leicester squad.
However, Ranieri denied any unrest and said he has "a fantastic relationship" with his squad.
"The dressing room is fantastic," he said.
"Never have I seen a chicken burger, only deep fried chicken. It's fantastic.
"The dressing room is fantastic. We try to do our best, but this season everything is wrong."
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