Claudio Ranieri says he's 'the Thinkerman, not Tinkerman' after ending rotation to clinch title for Leicester

Ranieri is enjoying the fallout from leading Leicester to their first ever Premier League title

Claudio Ranieri insists he is not longer the Tinkerman but the Thinkerman (Getty)

Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri insists he has ditched his Tinkerman tag and is now the Thinkerman.

The Italian has guided the Foxes to a stunning Barclays Premier League title after they were 5,000-1 to win the league at the start of the season.

Ranieri has used just 23 players this season, with only 17 making 10 or more league appearances, after being nicknamed the Tinkerman for his rotation policy at Chelsea between 2000-2004.

But after Leicester's success he believes that label will change now.

He said: "I am the Thinkerman, not Tinkerman!

"To win the title in the Premier League is something special and more special in Leicester, more with these fantastic lads. Unbelievable.

"Never could I have imagined this. We work so hard. Everyone does, but only one can win. This year it happened to me."

Ranieri has also helped organise a performance from opera singer Andrea Bocelli after the star called him two months ago to offer his support.

The 57-year-old will sing for the Leicester fans before Saturday's final home game of the season against Everton, after which they will be presented with the trophy.

Ranieri said: "He will sing here. He called me, one month and a half ago, two months ago. He was so happy (about) what we were doing in Leicester. He said: 'I would like to come and sing something'. I said: 'Great, why not?'

"I gave all the information to the club and they made all the arrangements. It is great for all the community. He's not a friend, I met him a long time ago, I had been to his concert at Wembley. I don't know if he remembers. Now, yes maybe (he remembers)!"

The Italian toasted Leicester's success with a glass of champagne with journalists on Thursday and believes their victory was deserved.

"Of course I think it's my karma because I work so hard to achieve things," he added.

"I am very happy and I want to say thank you to all my players, the chairman, the staff and the fans. They were amazing."

Jamie Vardy could be recalled after his suspension but Danny Drinkwater and Robert Huth are banned.

PA