Thursday 16 July 2015 17:18, UK
New Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri will not make wholesale changes at the club but wants to instil “the Italian tactical way”.
The former Chelsea manager was this week appointed to succeed Nigel Pearson and has vowed to make his mark.
However, while the 63-year-old is keen to see his new players adapt to his style of play as quickly as possible, he does not feel he will have to change too much.
“I didn’t explain anything to them now," he told Foxes Player. "When we come back next Monday I will start to speak tactically and then I want to see very quickly how they understand my football. But of course my football is very close to how they are used to playing.
“It is not possible to change too much because I watched matches and they are very solid when they play three at the back and then we can change three midfielders or two in midfield with two on the flank.
“I don’t want to change too much but just give the Italian tactical way.”
Leicester finished 14th in the Premier League last season after a strong end to the campaign under Pearson, who was sacked earlier this month despite guiding Leicester to safety in their first season back in the top flight.
And Ranieri also told the club’s official website that his players will need to maintain their fighting spirit.
He said: “First of all, our fans can expect our players to fight. I spoke with the players and told them I want all my players to be fighters.
“We must play every game like it’s the last match of the season. That’s important because with motivation you can do something good. Without motivation, it is very difficult to win something.
“Our goal is to be strong fundamentally. It is very important to improve the team slowly and to gradually surpass our possibilities. From what I have seen, I think that is possible.
“The team had not such a good period around November and December last year, then the last period was outstanding. I want to see that period throughout the season.”
Ranieri endured a miserable spell in charge of Greece and was sacked last year after losing to the Faroe Islands in a European Championship qualifier.
He has had spells at Juventus, Inter Milan and Valencia, but said he missed English football after leaving Chelsea 11 years ago.
“I’m really excited,” he said. “For me it was really important to come back to the Premier League. I’ve missed the Premier League, I’ve missed English football.
“English football is special – the fans, the crowd, the atmosphere is very warm in every stadium. I love the respect in England.”
