Leicester City: Should Claudio Ranieri be immune from sack after title win?

Leicester City have seen numerous relegation rivals make a positive managerial change recently. But should Claudio Ranieri really be immune from being sacked after last year’s title win?

Leicester City and Claudio Ranieri are in a dog fight right now to preserve their Premier League status. After a historic title-winning campaign last time out, things are very different 12 months later.

Given the position the Foxes are in, it’s only natural that there has been some pressure and chatter recently about Ranieri’s position as the club’s manager. Any other club in this position would be giving serious consideration to making a change in the leadership department.

But, as is often said lately, Ranieri, after last season’s triumph, has earned himself the time and respect to see out the remainder of the season, come what may. If that’s relegation, then so be it. Ranieri deserves to see things out no matter what.

But is that really the right way to go about business? Or does what Ranieri did last year go beyond business? It was so unbelievable, such joy for the Leicester fans, that anything that comes next is okay? Well, maybe that is part of the problem. Accepting whatever is the club’s fate.

Nobody accepted second place last season did they? Now, it would seem, whatever happens is acceptable. But if you settle for less, then you usually get less. If you’re content to take the short straw, you’ll probably get that shorter straw.

When Ranieri arrived at Leicester, the appointment was seen, generally, as a poor one. Ranieri’s managerial history wasn’t exactly littered with success in recent times. Last season bucked that trend for the Italian. One season. This year, is kind of as you expected when he first arrived.

Ranieri turned out to be the perfect manager for the club last year, with his laid-back, playful humor lightening the mood as the team charged towards the title. Relieving the pressure with his comical antics that everybody around the league grew to love.

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But Leicester had nothing to lose back then. Only history to make and credit to gain. The worst that could happen was the team would only achieve top four. It was a win-win situation. A lighthearted, relaxed atmosphere was beneficial.

But now, the Foxes do have something to lose – their Premier League status. Is the same approach the right one for this season? It certainly feels like the Leicester players are playing relaxed and loosely. Perhaps too much so. The team reflects their manager’s personality.

If Leicester City are relegated, people are bound to speculate whether relegation could have been avoided with a managerial change. Hull City are currently benefiting from the arrival of Marco Silva. Whilst Swansea City have found form after hiring Paul Clement.

That shows that sometimes a change is just needed. These clubs are also relegation rivals of Leicester’s, too. The upturn in form of either Hull or Swansea could directly prove to be the downfall of Ranieri and Leicester come the end of the season. Will there be any regrets then?

Perhaps not. Perhaps Ranieri truly has earned the right to take the team down, if that happens to be the team’s fate. But accepting that fate could well be contributing to what is happening at the club present.

Next: Riyad Mahrez can be Leicester City saviour

There’s no threat to anybody at the club right now. No consequences. Nobody is going to be sacked or sold. It’s all too comfortable. Lighthearted. The way things are going, Leicester City are going to be relegated.

But with the transfer window closed, and a manager who is immune from the sack, how is anything going to change now?

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Leicester City: Should Claudio Ranieri really be immune from sack after title win?

By Craig Pearson | Feb 15, 2017

Leicester City have seen numerous relegation rivals make a positive managerial change recently. But should Claudio Ranieri really be immune from being sacked after last year’s title win?

More from The Top Flight