CRAIG SHAKESPEARE has been sacked by Leicester.
The Foxes boss has paid the price for his club's poor start to the season with the side currently slumped third from bottom in the Premier League. Shakespeare was hauled in for a meeting by club chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha today after the club's 1-1 draw at home to West Brom last night.
And the Thai owner made it clear that one win from the opening eight matches of the season was not good enough for the former Premier League winners.
Shakespeare, 53, was only given the job on a permanent basis four months ago having taken charge on an interim basis following the sacking of Claudio Ranieri in February.
But he failed to maintain the improved level in performance of the side and has paid with his job. Leicester decided to call time on his reign just four months into his three-year deal, and are likely to have to come up with compensation of at least £1million.
The club decided they needed to make the change, fearing the players were not responding to their manager as they face up to a battle to avoid relegation. Shakespeare's dismissal is the latest problem to face their shock Premier League triumph just 18 months ago.
They made a dismal defence of their title, with then boss Ranieri having to juggle domestic football with the challenge of the Champions League. He was ultimately sacked last February with the club in a battle to avoid relegation, with Shakespeare being handed the reigns on a temporary basis.
His first match saw the team respond with their best performance in months as they beat Liverpool 3-1 - and he went on to win his first four league matches. But then star man Riyad Mahrez asked to leave at the end of the season, keen to play for a club playing in the Champions League.
A move by Chelsea for the Algerian failed to go through but this season his form has been below the high standards he had set before.
And Leicester were also dealt a major blow when England midfielder Danny Drinkwater forced his way into a deadline day move to Stamford Bridge, following former Foxes hero N'Golo Kante to West London. The unsettled start to the season had left the Foxes and Shakespeare desperately scrambling around for answers as to why things were not working on the pitch.
And though Mahrez scored his first goal of the season to save a point against West Brom last night, it was not enough to save his manager.
From The Sun
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