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Kasper Schmeichel says Leicester owners did not ask players about Claudio Ranieri before sacking

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Kasper Schmeichel says Leicester's owners did not ask senior players about Claudio Ranieri's future

Kasper Schmeichel says Leicester’s owners did not ask senior players for their take on Claudio Ranieri’s future before he was sacked

The Italian, who led the Foxes to the Premier League title last season, was dismissed on Thursday evening.

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In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Schmeichel says Leicester players have no influence over top-level decisions at the club and described reports that the players had turned against the title-winning boss as "hurtful".

Leicester City's Italian manager Claudio Ranieri (2R) leaves the pitch after remonstrating with the referee at half-time during the English Premier League
Image: Ranieri was sacked by Leicester on Thursday

He said: "Our owners are the type of people who are here a lot. They come to practically every game, they come to the training ground and they talk to the players all the time. I can't talk from previously before I came to the club but, in the time I've been here, they come into the club and talk about all manner of things from the weather to whatever.

"But at no point have they taken our advice or asked for our consultation on the manager's future. That is their job, their prerogative. We are players, we have to perform on the pitch, and that we haven't done this season."

He added: "They are very hurtful reports. I can only say as a player at this club, I, or any other player, have no influence on a decision like this or any say of any kind.

Kasper Schmeichel opes up to Geoff Shreeves
Image: Kasper Schmeichel opens up to Geoff Shreeves

"Our owners are very successful businessmen who have made decisions in their business life many, many times. They have made big decisions for the club previously and they are the ones who make the decisions.

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"We have absolutely no influence. We don't kid ourselves that we can influence or make anything happen at all.

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"I'm as upset about these reports as anybody. They are deeply hurtful and, for me, to read these types of things I think it is absolutely ridiculous to think that any player in any squad across the country has that type of influence or power to make decisions like this. I think it is absolutely ridiculous."

Schmeichel was at pains to re-iterate that the owners were the ones who made the decisions at Leicester, who sit just a point above the relegation zone.

"I am a footballer. I have no influence on these types of decisions or any other player at this club has that type of influence," he said.

"The owners at this club are the people who make the decisions at this club. They have always done that, they have made tough decisions before. They have sacked managers before and made very tough decisions for this club. We as players have to get on with it.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 08:  Claudio Ranieri, manager of Leicester City speaks with his players during the break in extra-time in the Emirates FA Cup
Image: Sky sources understand senior Leicester players met with the club's owners on Thursday

"I don't know how many more times or how clearly I can say it any more. This is a serious accusation, something that is very hurtful. I as a player do not have any influence or any power to influence our owners."

Ranieri visited the Leicester training ground on Saturday morning to say goodbye to players and members of staff and Schmeichel said the Italian spoke to and thanked all of the players.

"Claudio came in and said his goodbyes, thanked the players for their efforts, thanked them for last season. We achieved something amazing together so it is sad that it has come to this but, as always, a very classy man. Very humble, very gracious," he said.

"When you share a moment like that together, you feel sad that it has come to this and I am sure Claudio feels the same.

Claudio Ranieri is looking towards the Champions League
Image: Ranieri won the Premier League title during his first season at Leicester

"He is a very gracious man, there is absolutely nothing. He thanked every single player, every single member of staff.

"Nobody wants to see anybody lose their job. I have nothing but the utmost respect and gratitude to Claudio for what he came in and did at this club. It is the highlight of everybody's career and if you ask any player they will say the exact same thing.

"What is a great shame is that we have not performed on the pitch. It is as simple as that. We as players have to look at ourselves because we haven't performed, it is as simple as that."

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