Leicester City sacked manager Claudio Ranieri issued an emotional statement on Friday saying “his dream died” after losing his job nine months after he helped them win the Premier League title for the first time in the team’s history.

The Italian lost his job Thursday with Leicester one point above the relegation zone.

“Yesterday my dream died,” Ranieri said in a statement on Friday.

“After the euphoria of last season and being crowned Premier League champions all I dreamt of was staying with Leicester; the club I love for always. Sadly this was not to be.”

“The adventure was amazing and will live with me forever,” the 65-year-old manager said.

“My heartfelt thanks to everybody at the club, everybody who was part of what we achieved, but mostly to the supporters. You took me into your hearts from day one and loved me. I love you too.”

Leicester City said in a statement the board “reluctantly feels that a change of leadership, while admittedly painful, is necessary in the club’s greatest interest.”

“This has been the most difficult decision we have had to make in nearly seven years since King Power took ownership of Leicester City,” the club’s vice-chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said.

“But we are duty-bound to put the club’s long-term interests above all sense of personal sentiment, no matter how strong that might be.”

Srivaddhanaprabha praised Ranieri, who took over in July 2015 and who masterminded one of the most remarkable triumphs in sporting history, landing the title despite odds of 5,000-1.

“Claudio has brought outstanding qualities to his office,” he said.

“His skilful management, powers of motivation and measured approach have been reflective of the rich experience we always knew he would bring to Leicester City.

“His warmth, charm and charisma have helped transform perceptions of the club and develop its profile on a global scale. We will forever be grateful to him for what he has helped us to achieve.”

Former Leicester and England striker Gary Lineker expressed his surprise.

“After all that Claudio Ranieri has done for Leicester City, to sack him now is inexplicable, unforgivable and gut-wrenchingly sad,” he said on Twitter.

“No-one can ever take away what we achieved together and I hope you think about it and smile every day the way I always will,” Ranieri said.

“It was a time of wonderfulness and happiness that I will never forget. It’s been a pleasure and an honour to be a champion with all of you.”

Srivaddhanaprabha said the board’s sole aim was to do what it takes to keep the club up.

“It was never our expectation that the extraordinary feats of last season should be replicated this season,” he said. 

Leicester City’s remarkable Premier League success was one of the feel good stories of 2016.

“Indeed, survival in the Premier League was our first and only target at the start of the campaign.

“But we are now faced with a fight to reach that objective and feel a change is necessary to maximize the opportunity presented by the final 13 games.”

Leicester’s assistant manager Craig Shakespeare and first team coach Mike Stowell will take charge until a new manager is appointed.

Leicester face Liverpool in their next match on Monday.

– with AAP