Ranieri mourns end of Foxes’ ‘fairy tale’ ahead of return to Leicester



Posted Wednesday, December 05, 2018 by PA

Ranieri mourns end of Foxes’ ‘fairy tale’ ahead of return to Leicester

Fulham boss Claudio Ranieri has expressed his sadness over Leicester’s “fairy tale” ending when owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha died.

Ranieri masterminded Leicester’s improbable 5,000-1 Premier League title success in 2015-16 but was sacked nine months later in February 2017.

Srivaddhanaprabha and four other people were killed in October when the helicopter they were travelling in crashed near the King Power Stadium.

Before facing the Foxes for the first time since he left Leicester, Ranieri told a press conference on Tuesday: “I think we spoke a lot about the fairy tale.

“Now the chairman, Vichai, has died the fairy tale has finished but the memories remain and the achievement.

“I am very sad for what happened and we have to continue in our life.”

Ranieri is anticipated to receive a rapturous reception from the visiting Leicester fans for his third match in charge of Fulham.

The 67-year-old Italian said: “It will be very strange. Very emotional moment, but it’s OK that is football.

“It will be a good moment, for sure, but after we have to win.”

The Cottagers won Ranieri’s first match in charge, ending a seven-match winless run, by beating Southampton 3-2.

That was followed by a 2-0 loss at Chelsea, another of Ranieri’s former clubs.

Andre Schurrle is available after missing the Chelsea match with a knock.

Fulham were improved when Ranieri swapped Ryan Sessegnon and Stefan Johansen for Floyd Ayite and Aboubakar Kamara at half-time at Stamford Bridge, but Ayite is out with a small groin problem.

Current Leicester boss Claude Puel believes the club are still adapting from their title win.

“It was a fantastic job from the team, staff and all the club,” he said.

“It came right because all the things were in the right place. It was spirit, a journey.

“I had experience too when I was managing Lille, we went from 14th one season, and the season after, with the same squad and little experience, we finished second behind Lyon.

“Then we played in the Champions League with Manchester United. We made a fantastic journey over two or three seasons.

“The most difficult thing for me was to follow, continue in this way. It’s something we could not prepare for.

“I think Leicester could not prepare for what followed next. It was not normal to win the title like this.

“Now it’s my job to put in place the structure, step by step, the squad is improving and finding again the possibility to compete with the good clubs.

“Once is a success, afterwards it’s difficult for people because they think it’s easy to win like that.

“No, it’s a lot of work to prepare, the feeling for Leicester was fantastic, but afterwards it’s very difficult to manage that situation

“No-one is prepared for what follows.”

Jamie Vardy is a doubt for Leicester with an ongoing groin complaint.

The forward came off in the 72nd minute of Saturday’s 2-0 win over Watford and will be assessed ahead of Wednesday’s game.

Harry Maguire has returned to training but is unlikely to feature following his knee injury while Rachid Ghezzal (leg) also remains a doubt.

Tag:


Attention: Third parties may advertise their products and/or services on our website.7M does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of their contents.
Your dealings with such third parties are solely between you and such third parties and we shall not be liable in any way for any loss or damage of any sort incurred by you.