Leicester have appointed the vastly-experienced Claudio Ranieri as their new manager, but former club icon Gary Lineker has called the Italian’s hiring “uninspiring”.
The Premier League club confirmed Ranieri, 63, has signed a three-year deal at the King Power Stadium to replace Nigel Pearson, who was relieved of his duties last month because the club insisted “fundamental differences in perspective exist between us”.
Claudio Ranieri? Really?
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) July 13, 2015
Amazing how the same old names keep getting a go on the managerial merrygoround http://t.co/ZbvorBXY3G
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) July 13, 2015
Ranieri’s 29-year managerial career has spanned 14 clubs across five countries, including European giants such as Chelsea, Juventus and Atletico Madrid, but ex-Foxes and England striker Lineker is less than impressed with the decision taken by his old side’s hierarchy.
“Claudio Ranieri is clearly experienced, but this is an uninspired choice by Leicester,” he said on BreatheSport.
“It’s amazing how the same old names keep getting a go on the managerial merry-go-round.”
Ranieri has been out of work since a winless four-game stint with Greece in 2014 was ended after the country were beaten 1-0 by minnows the Faroe Islands.
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It is more than 10 years since he last managed in EPL with Chelsea, who he took to the Champions League semi-finals and to second place in the 2003-04 Premier League table behind Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ before being replaced by Jose Mourinho.
Ranieri has managed in Spain, Italy and France since but revealed he has always harboured aspirations of returning to English football’s top flight and he said: “I’m so glad to be here in a club with such a great tradition as Leicester City.
“I have worked at many great clubs, in many top leagues, but since I left Chelsea I have dreamt of another chance to work in the best league in the world again.
“I wish to thank the owner, his son and all the executives of the club for the opportunity. Now I’ve only one way for returning their trust: squeeze all my energies to getting the best results.”
