Ranieri: 'Yesterday my dream died'

Claudio Ranieri planned to remain at Leicester City forever after guiding the club to its first Premier League title.

Forever turned into nine months when Leicester’s owners opted to part ways with the manager Thursday, a decision that triggered an outpouring of support and sympathy for Ranieri.

Ranieri revealed the heartache associated with losing his job in a statement Friday. He also took the opportunity to reminisce about the fairy-tale season in which he played an instrumental role in leading Leicester to the summit of England’s top flight.

He wrote:

Yesterday my dream died.

After the euphoria of last season and being crowned Premier League Champions, all I dreamt of was staying at Leicester City, the club I love, for always.

Sadly this was not to be.

Related – Leicester vice chairman: ‘We will forever be grateful’ to Ranieri

Ranieri went on to thank his family, his agents, and two of his coaches who were also sacked Thursday, and praised the media for its coverage and reporting on the “greatest story in football.”

“Mostly I have to thank Leicester City Football Club,” he wrote. “The adventure was amazing and will live with me forever.”

Related: Leicester interim boss says players didn’t force Ranieri out

Ranieri reserved his largest measure of gratitude for Leicester City supporters:

You took me into your hearts from day one and loved me. I love you too. No one can ever take away what we together have achieved.

I hope you think about it and smile every day the way I always will. 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.