2016 FIFA Best Male Coach, Claudio Ranieri, has been sacked as Leicester City manager after more than one-and-half years in charge, the Midlands side announced Thursday.

Ranieri’s sacking comes just months after leading the club to a shock Premier League title.

The Italian’s position came under intense scrutiny this season during a slump that has left the Foxes – who started the 2015/16 campaign as 5,000/1 title no-hoppers – just a point above the relegation zone and battling for top-flight survival ahead of this weekend’s matches.

Not even a gutsy 2-1 loss away to Sevilla in the first leg of a Champions League last 16 tie on Wednesday was enough to sympathize with and spare Ranieri the sack.

The Thai-owned club announced: “Leicester City Football Club has tonight (Thursday) parted company with its first-team manager, Claudio Ranieri.

“Domestic results in the current campaign have placed the club’s Premier League status under threat and the board reluctantly feels that a change of leadership, while admittedly painful, is necessary in the club’s greatest interest.”