
Leicester City: Premier League 2015-16 v 2016-17 | ||||
Pts per game | Shots per game | Clean sheets | Defeats | |
2015-16 |  2.1 (81 from 38) | 13.8 (7th in league) | 15 | 3 (from 38) |
2016-17 |  0.8 (21 from 25) | 10.8 (14th) | 5 | 14 (from 25) |
Analysis – ‘Leicester have shown a cruelty’
Phil McNulty, BBC chief football writer:It is almost the thought that dare not speak its name amid the wave of shock, outrage and disgust at Leicester’s decision to ruthlessly dismiss the hugely popular 65-year-old, who won the hearts of all supporters with his good humour, class and dignity as he led the Foxes to the title.But is there actually method in what many see as the madness of the club’s Thai owners?Leicester’s fall has been more dramatic than anything they could have foreseen in their worst nightmares. A win for any of Sunderland, Crystal Palace and Hull City this weekend would put the Foxes in the relegation places. Wins for all three and they would be bottom by the time they face Liverpool on what will now be a highly charged occasion at the King Power on Monday.After 26 games last year they were top on 53 points, two ahead of Spurs. This season they are 17th after 25 games, with only 21 points. Last season they had lost only three games compared with 14 in this campaign, and conceded only 29 goals compared with 43 this term. Indeed, they only conceded 36 in the entire 2015-16 season.The difference is stark and, very clearly in the opinion of Leicester’s owners, dangerous. Pat Murphy, BBC Radio 5 liveI remember the Thai owners at the Everton game when Leicester got the trophy, the players couldn’t get the trophy out of their hands. They loved dining at the top table and that’s what they are worried about.Has Ranieri lost the dressing room? Probably. They are clearly in trouble, sinking like a stone. But my word, they have shown a cruelty in this decision.Ranieri deserved everything. It sums up modern football. The owners have their eye on staying up.The chairman was at the Swansea game shaking his head a couple of weeks ago, making it quite clear how he felt. It was only a fortnight ago they promised unwavering support.Surely in terms of decency, respect and integrity, Ranieri should have been allowed to get them out of this mess?A year (and nine days) in the life of Ranieri
14 February 2016: Leicester lose 2-1 at Arsenal, their final defeat of the 2015-16 season before a 12-game unbeaten run.2 May 2016: The Foxes are crowned champions of England for the first time in their history as Tottenham draw at Chelsea.16 July 2016: Midfielder N’Golo Kante leaves to sign a five-year deal with Chelsea.13 August 2016: Leicester lose their first game of the 2016-17 season – a 2-1 defeat at Hull City.15 October 2016: The Foxes are hammered 3-0 by table-topping Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.22 November 2016: Leicester secure top spot in their Champions League group with one game to spare.18 December 2016: Ranieri is named Coach of the Year at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards.7 February 2017: After a run of two wins in 15 league games, Leicester give Ranieri their “unwavering support”.22 February 2017: The Foxes lose 2-1 to Sevilla in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.23 February 2017: Ranieri is sacked.Discover more from NewsBreakers
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