Craig Shakespeare: Leicester City sack manager four months after appointment

 

Leicester City have sacked manager Craig Shakespeare just four months after he signed a three-year deal to take the job on a permanent basis.
The Foxes are third from bottom in the Premier League and have not won any of their past six league matches.
Shakespeare, 53, succeeded title winner Claudio Ranieri in February, initially on a temporary basis.
Michael Appleton will take caretaker charge of the squad, who were not told in advance of Shakespeare’s sacking.
Their next game is against Swansea City in the Premier League on Saturday.
Shakespeare won eight of his 16 games in charge last season, and led the club to the Champions League quarter-finals.
After steering the Foxes away from trouble to finish in 12th place, he was given the job permanently in June.
His departure follows a 1-1 draw with West Brom on Monday.
The last time Leicester went six league matches without a victory, Ranieri was sacked – nine months after leading them to the title.
Of their 10 matches this season – eight in the league and two in the EFL Cup – Leicester have won three and drawn three, losing four.
But they have won only once in the league – a 2-0 victory at home to Brighton on 19 August.
Their four defeats have come against Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool.

Why the club decided he had to go
Leicester City vice-chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha

“Craig has been a great servant to Leicester City – during his spells as an assistant manager and since taking over as manager in challenging circumstances in February. His dedication to the club and to his work has been absolute and the contribution he made to the most successful period in Leicester City history is considerable.
“However, our early promise under Craig’s management has not been consistently evident in the months since and the board feels that, regrettably, a change is necessary to keep the club moving forward – consistent with the long-term expectations of our supporters, board and owners.
“Craig is and will remain a very popular, respected figure at Leicester City and will be welcome back at King Power Stadium in future, both professionally and as a friend of the club.
“The club will now begin the process of identifying and appointing its next first-team manager and will make no further comment on the process until the appropriate time.”