‘There are a lot of sharks, and I am the windsurfer’ – Claudio Ranieri ready to lead Leicester to Premier League safety
Claudio Ranieri believes he can lead Leicester to the calmer waters of Premier League safety as the "sharks" begin to circle his struggling side.
The under-pressure boss yesterday received a vote of confidence from the club's Thai owners, who pledged their "unwavering support" for Ranieri amid a woeful defence of their top flight crown.
The Italian, whose team are just one point above the drop zone after Sunday's 3-0 home defeat to Manchester United, says the public backing was more for the benefit of the media, who he described as "sharks".
Reports also surfaced recently that Ranieri has been losing his grip on the dressing room after confusing players with tactics and team selection, but Ranieri insists everything is normal.
"Now there are a lot of sharks, and I am on the windsurfer," he told a number of national newspapers ahead of the Foxes' FA Cup fourth-round replay with Derby. "I accept this. This is our life.
"Last season was a fairytale, this season is not a fairytale. But it is okay. Now it is important to be positive without bad, bad words.
"It is the same as last season. I speak the same s**** English and they understand me. It's important that they understand me. We try to do our best but this season everything is wrong but we are still fighting and that is my strength.
"That is important for me to see how they speak together, how they speak with me to try to improve some situations, what we are doing well and not doing well. We speak every time about what we need to improve and it's okay, with all my staff and everybody.
"I say to my players, 'My door is always open'. Sometimes I come to them and sometimes they come to me. It's a fantastic relationship. They understand everything well. I think this [club statement] is for you, not for me, because I know the idea of the chairman of the club and everybody."
At the weekend Leicester travel to Swansea - the team directly below them in the table - but more immediately the Foxes face Championship promotion hopefuls Derby in an FA Cup replay on Wednesday night.
Ranieri must decide whether to make changes to his team with Sunday's crucial clash at the Liberty Stadium looming large, possibly sacrificing a place in the fifth round and the chance to build some much-needed momentum.
"Derby are a big team and move the ball very well, it will be tough," said Ranieri. "I have to protect some players who need to recover and rest. Also, I want to give the opportunity to the other players."