Leicester confirm Shakespeare sacking

Leicester City have confirmed the sacking of Craig Shakespeare, just four months after handing him a permanent contract to manage the former Premier League champion. Shakespeare, 53, was promoted from his role as assistant coach on an interim basis following the shock dismissal of Claudio Ranieri in February and in June he was handed a three-year contract. But the 2015-16 champion have struggled this season and are third from bottom of the table with a single league win.

Craig Shakespeare sacked by Leicester. Bring back Claudio.

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) October 17, 2017

Leicester vice chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said on Tuesday: "Craig has been a great servant to Leicester – 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 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 expectation of our supporters, board and owners.

BREAKING: Craig Shakespeare has been sacked as manager of @LCFC – Sky sources. #SSN pic.twitter.com/fb8ADaeUBD

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 17, 2017

"Craig is and will remain a very popular, respected figure at Leicester and will be welcome back at King Power Stadium in future, both professionally and as a friend of the club." Former Blackburn Rovers and Portsmouth boss Michael Appleton, who had been working as Shakespeare's assistant, will be Leicester's caretaker manager for Saturday's Premier League trip to Swansea City. Among the bookmakers' early favourites for the job are former England boss Sam Allardyce, who left Crystal Palace at the end of last season, Wales coach Chris Coleman, Burnley manager Sean Dyche and Zenit Saint Petersburg chief Roberto Mancini.

. @Carra23 says Craig Shakespeare's 'harsh' sacking reflects the ruthless nature of Leicester's owners: https://t.co/Jib7Nc42J3 #lcfc pic.twitter.com/JIJKu6KZjW

— Sky Sports PL ? (@SkySportsPL) October 17, 2017

Shakespeare's appointment earlier this year had sparked a striking upturn in form that saw Leicester secure their Premier League status and reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League. But Monday's 1-1 home draw with West Bromwich Albion saw Leicester's winless Premier League run reach six matches - the same as when Ranieri was sacked. Shakespeare had no previous managerial experience when he stepped into the hot-seat following Ranieri's dismissal, which came with Leicester a point above the relegation zone.

BREAKING: Leicester City sack Craig Shakespeare. ✅

Claudio Ranieri right now...?? pic.twitter.com/n4nFHxZFgx— SPORF (@Sporf) October 17, 2017

But he inspired the team to five straight league wins and they finished the season in a respectable 12th place. Shakespeare was given around £60m ($79m, 67m euros) to spend on players in the summer transfer window and splashed out on striker Kelechi Iheanacho, Harry Maguire and Vicente Iborra. But Leicester's only Premier League win came against newly promoted Brighton and Hove Albion in August.

Leicester manager Craig Shakespeare sacked, had gone same length of time without a win as Ranieri before he was sacked, Leicester's owners showing their ruthless side again. Who next at KP? pic.twitter.com/asWe3Enm5k

— Ian Abrahams (Moose) (@BroadcastMoose) October 17, 2017

Their only other points have been picked up in draws against Huddersfield Town, Bournemouth and West Brom, while Shakespeare oversaw wins against Sheffield United and Liverpool in the League Cup. He is the second managerial casualty of the Premier League season following the dismissal of Frank de Boer from the Palace job.