Claudio Ranieri: Leicester City appoint former Chelsea manager as new boss

Last week the Italian said: "I would be ready to listen to what they had to say"

Claudio Ranieri joined Leicester on a three-year deal (LCFC)

Former Chelsea, Valencia and Internazionale manager Claudio Ranieri has been appointed as the new Leicester City boss on a three-year contract.

The 63-year-old arrives at the Premier League outfit just weeks after being relieved of his duties as Greece manager following a Euro 2016 qualifying defeat at home against the Faroe Islands.

News of his arrival was posted on Leicester's official Twitter page this evening with the Italian pictured alongside vice-chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha at the club's Austria pre-season training camp.

Ranieri was approached by the Foxes hierarchy following comments he made in the media last week claiming that he would be interested in taking charge at the King Power Stadium.

Ranieri, who achieved a 53% win ratio as Chelsea manager between 2000-2004, replaces Nigel Pearson, sacked last month, who won the League One and Championship titles before securing their top flight status last season.

Nicknamed the 'Tinkerman' by the media, the Italian said: “I'm so glad to be here in a club with such a great tradition as Leicester City. I have worked at many great clubs, in many top leagues, but since I left Chelsea I have dreamt of another chance to work in the best league in the world again.

“I wish to thank the owner, his son and all the executives of the Club for the opportunity they are giving me. Now I've only one way for returning their trust: squeeze all my energies to getting the best results for the team.”

Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha (Getty)

Despite recent failures, Ranieri's CV is an impressive one with him lifting the Coppa Italia and Copa del Rey during spells with Fiorentina and Valencia respectively. The Thai owners now believe they have found the high-profile figure to take them to the next stage.

Leicester initially made contact with Dutchman Guus Hiddink in the days following Pearson's dismissal, but the former Real Madrid and Chelsea boss turned their offer down.

Talks were expected to be held with Martin O'Neill over the weekend too. However complications with his Republic of Ireland contract have proven problematic. The Northern Irishman managed Leicester in the 1990s, lifting two League Cups and leading the Filbert Street club to four top-ten Premier League finishes.

But they have opted for Ranieri in the hope that his global prestige will repair their reputation after the sex tape scandal, involving the former manager's son James, which reportedly led to Pearson's departure last month.