Speaking in public for the first time since his sacking while a guest on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, Ranieri refused to name the people he was referring to but dismissed rumours the players stuck the knife in.
“Maybe it was someone behind me,” said Ranieri. “I had a little problem the year before and we won the Premier League title. Maybe this year, when we lose, these people push a little more.
“I don’t want to tell [who I’m talking about]. I’m a serious man, a loyal man. What I had to say, I said face-to-face.
“But I don’t believe rumours the players spoke to the Leicester owners about sacking me. The players got to experience something totally different. In pre-season they played against big teams, went all over the world. I don’t believe the players killed me.”
Ranieri believes Leicester had finally turned the corner in their struggling season his side put in a strong performance against Sevilla in the Champions League last-16 first leg, despite losing 2-1.
“The turning point was the Sevilla match,” said Ranieri. “So it was very surprising and very disappointing to find out I was sacked.”
