LEICESTER CITY fans blasted yesterday the sacking of title-winning manager Claudio Ranieri.

Leicester City Supporters’ Club chairman Cliff Ginnetta said the club’s sacking of the Italian was “shameful and embarrassing.”

Ranieri got the axe just nine months after guiding the Foxes to a fairy-tale victory. But now the east Midlands side is just barely above the relegation zone.

But despite the trouble, Ginnetta said that he should have been kept on.

“All the years I’ve followed Leicester City, it’s one of the most embarrassing things that’s ever happened,” he said.

That’s quite some feat, as less than two years ago then manager Nigel Pearson abused a journalist as an “ostrich” and — shortly after — a racist sex tape was published that featured City players.

“I thought they’d give him the season and then reappraise it. Definitely after [the Champions League loss this week to] Sevilla when in the second half we looked OK. I don’t know why the big panic, especially now. The guy is loved by supporters and they are devastated.

“They had to give him the rest of the season.”

Ginnetta pointed the finger at Leicester’s players. “If I was the chairman and I was paying players £100,000 a week and they weren’t performing it’s the players I’d be targeting more than the manager.”

Caretaker Leicester manager Craig Shakespeare has dismissed claims that it was unrest in the dressing room that spelled the end for Ranieri, saying that “there was a lot of frustration because of the results, but he had not lost the dressing room.”

In a series of heartbreaking remarks yesterday, Ranieri said that “my dream died” when he got the sack.

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

“Sadly this was not to be.

“My heartfelt thanks to everybody at the club, all the players, the staff, everybody who was there and 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. No-one can ever take away what we together have achieved, and 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.”