Why Claudio Ranieri needs to shoulder the responsibility at Leicester City

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Has there ever been such a meagre, half-hearted defence of any title in world sport than that offered by Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester City side in the Premier League this season?

A little exaggerated perhaps, but it was hard to disagree with Foxes goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel when he called the club’s title defence “embarrassing” following another defeat at the King Power Stadium last weekend.

Leicester now sit just one point above the relegation zone and have shown no hint that their slide down the table is going to be halted anytime soon. They have yet to muster a victory since the turn of the year and have won just two of their last fifteen league fixtures – relegation is suddenly a very real prospect.

Negativity breeds poor results

First, it is important to highlight that Claudio Ranieri’s achievement of guiding The Foxes to the Premier League title last season was one of the most incredible, awe-inspiring stories that English football is ever likely to witness. It was an unprecedented success and it is something that Leicester supporters both deserve and will never be able to have taken away from them.

Yet for all of the well-deserved credit and plaudits that Ranieri received last year for his team’s success, he now must shoulder the responsibility for their abject failure this campaign.

The biggest mistake that the Italian made was publically setting staggeringly low expectations of his team in the summer. By telling the world that the main aim as defending champions of England was to reach the 40-point mark he was surrendering the title before a ball was even kicked in anger.

Even worse, by setting a target of 40 points Ranieri was basically telling his players; “Last year was a fluke. Don’t expect to do it again”.

Is it any wonder that Leicester have offered such a meagre title defence when their manager more or less told them in the summer to expect a relegation fight?

Negativity breeds poor results.

Reach for the stars and if you fall you will land on a cloud.

Where is the urgency?

After 24 Premier League fixtures last season Leicester had won 14 games, scoring 44 goals in the process, and had racked up an astonishing 50 points. The Foxes had only suffered two defeats since the start of the season and had a rock-solid defence that had conceded just 26 times.

What a difference a year makes.

So far this season Ranieri’s men have last 13 games, conceding 41 goals in the process, and have scrambled just 21 points in 24 fixtures. They have failed to score in the league since December 31^st.

So the title is well-done, probably on the way to Stamford Bridge, and relegation is now a very realistic threat.

Yet where is the urgency? Where is the desire to turn the corner?

Leicester have released a statement this week offering their support for Ranieri and acknowledged that “recent form needs to improve”. The Italian himself has told the media that “this is not a crisis”.

Sorry, what?

The evidence from recent results and performances suggests that this is very much a crisis. The fight, determination, togetherness and steeliness that the title-winning side demonstrated last season is nowhere to be seen. Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez suddenly offer no attacking threat. The rock-solid defence now looks more like a crumbling wall.

Where is the urgency around the club to stop the rot?

It almost seems as if no one around Leicester seems the slightest bit bothered that they are spiralling towards relegation – not the manager, not the board and not the supporters.

So, what now?

The most obvious answer, although it would be extremely harsh on Ranieri, would be to install a new manager. But with the transfer window now shut it would be unlikely that a new man would be able to have a significant impact on the team.

The time for change is now gone. Leicester must keep faith with their Italian maestro.

Ranieri needs to replicate the magic of last season – by making Leicester a side that are hard to beat and do the simple aspects of the game incredibly well. He needs to reinstall the rigid 4-4-2 formation that has been so effective in the past and stop tinkering with the tactics and personnel. Pick his best eleven players and stick with them.

But more than anything else there needs to be a realisation around the club that relegation would undo all of the good work of last year – and that it is a real possibility.

It is time to get back to basics.

Simplicity and urgency are now required.

Because if not, the current reigning champions of England will be playing their football in the Championship next season.

Featured Image: All Rights Reserved Alex Hannam (Alex Hannam)