Wednesday 25 January 2017 22:57, UK
Claudio Ranieri's position at Leicester should not be in question, according to the man he faces in the FA Cup this week, Steve McClaren.
Leicester's fourth-round trip to Derby on Friday brings respite from the Premier League, where the champions sit just five points above the relegation places off the back of successive 3-0 defeats.
But Rams boss, McClaren, says a reality check is required for anyone suggesting Ranieri is no longer the man for the manager's job - barely eight months since he delivered the first league title in the club's 132-year history.
"To question the manager's job is ridiculous," said McClaren. "But that's modern day sport, modern day society. What's he got to do to top last season, win the Champions League?
"He's got to the last-16 easily, they won the group, but for a manager, this for him will be the hardest season - winning after winning is very difficult.
"I was very fortunate to work with Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United who was the very best at making sure that no-one slipped into complacency. He would win the league, or another trophy, and the medals would be in the drawer and planning ahead for the next season. That's why Manchester United had constant success.
"But to do that is very difficult and that's what Leicester are finding this season. The levels they reached last year to win the Premier League were unbelievable, way over expectations.
"Ranieri was absolutely correct last year, it was all about 40 points. It is all about 40 points again this season and he will have done a fantastic job if he gets there and progresses in the cups - the FA Cup and the Champions League.
"For me Leicester are a team who can win, and should have aspirations to win, the FA Cup. Leicester wouldn't have achieved what they did last season if it wasn't for Ranieri and their future is brighter for it, because of Ranieri."
