Who will super Ranieri save next?

We look at the Italian’s options

So, just what do football clubs want these days? It is often written that Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson, who endured a slow start to life at Old Trafford, would have been sacked long before he went on to transform The Red Devils.

There’s no room for failure, no second chances, and what you did last season counts for nothing. Claudio Ranieri is the latest example of just how fickle modern football is. The magician, who turned Leicester into Premier League champions last term – against all the odds – took charge of his last game as manager of The Foxes in a 2-1 loss away to Sevilla in the Champions League. Another defeat in a long list of sore results this season, but the away goal gives them every chance of going through at the King Power on March 14^th.

The 65-year-old’s sacking was met with astonishment from followers of Leicester and there was a peaceful march to honour their fallen hero before the win over Liverpool on Monday evening. With a glowing reference from those he left behind, Ranieri won’t be short of offers for his next move. But where will he work his magic next?

Ranieri to remain in Europe

A big-money move to the Chinese Super League is always an option these days, and Claudio will be welcomed with open-arms in that part of the world. He will certainly be in good company too, as the division snap up the world’s biggest names, throwing money around like it is going out of fashion. Diego Costa and Wayne Rooney are just two who should be plying their trade there next season.

The gaffer is expected to remain in Europe however, and his club of choice is believed to be Fiorentina. He managed at the Stadio Artemio Franchi between 1993 and 1997, doing something similar at Viola as was achieved at Leicester, taking them from the second-tier to Serie A, while picking up the Coppa Italia and Italian Super Cup. Forget Jamie Vardy – he had Gabriel Batistuta in his side back then.