Swansea boss Paul Clement: Claudio Ranieri deserves time to put things right at Leicester

Four straight defeats have left defending Premier League champions Leicester just one point above the relegation zone, on the same number of points as Sunday’s opponents Swansea, who have been revitalised under new manager Paul Clement.

Reports have surfaced recently that Ranieri has been losing his grip on the dressing room after confusing players with tactics and team selection.

But Ranieri, as you would expect, claims everything is normal and he received the ‘dreaded’ vote of confidence from Leicester’s Thai owners on Tuesday.

But Clement said: “You never know what the truth is coming out of those situations. But some of the talk coming out about unrest I don’t understand.

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Paul Clement offered his support to under fire Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri

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Claudio Ranieri's Leicester are dangerously close to the relegation zone

Players speaking to the chairman and pundits talking about who might be the next coach of Leicester is not right.

“What he did last year was truly remarkable and for that alone he deserves time to put it right.”

Leicester have reached the last 16 of the Champions League and play Sevilla this month. But they are at risk of becoming the first champions of England to be relegated since Manchester City were in 1938.

“It [their slump] has surprised me, but then it was a big surprise last season as well,” said Clement. “It’s uncharted territory for Leicester, first of all how they won the league last year and this year defending it.”

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While Leicester enter Sunday’s clash in dire league form, Swansea are in confident mood despite losing 2-1 at Manchester City last Sunday.

Swansea had won three of their four games since Clement arrived at the start of January before Gabriel Jesus’ stoppage-time winner denied them a point at the Etihad Stadium.

“Even though we didn’t get anything out of our last game we go into this game with a lot of confidence and belief that we are moving in the right direction,” added Clement.

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