The Best FIFA Men's Coach 2016 Claudio Ranieri has been sacked by Leicester City Football Club after more than one-and-a-half years in charge.

Ranieri led the Foxes to the English Premier League title in unforgettable fashion last season, the first in the club's history, and into the knockout stages of the 2016/17 UEFA Champions League, where they are looking to come back from a 2-1 first-leg defeat by Sevilla in the Round of 16.

While Leicester City have experienced some success in their first foray in the Champions League, their 2016/17 Premier League form has suffered. The Foxes lie in 17th place, just one point above the relegation zone, with 13 matches left in the campaign.

"This has been the most difficult decision we have had to make in nearly seven years since King Power took ownership of Leicester City," said vice chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha in a statement released on the club's official website. "But we are duty-bound to put the club’s long-term interests above all sense of personal sentiment, no matter how strong that might be.

“Claudio has brought outstanding qualities to his office. His skilful management, powers of motivation and measured approach have been reflective of the rich experience we always knew he would bring to Leicester City. His warmth, charm and charisma have helped transform perceptions of the club and develop its profile on a global scale. We will forever be grateful to him for what he has helped us to achieve.    “It was never our expectation that the extraordinary feats of last season should be replicated this season. Indeed, survival in the Premier League was our first and only target at the start of the campaign. But we are now faced with a fight to reach that objective and feel a change is necessary to maximise the opportunity presented by the final 13 games.” 

The Leicester City board announced that the search for a new manager at the club has begun.