Saturday 20 / April / 2024
London: Leicester City will discuss a possible contract extension with manager Claudio Ranieri at the end of the season as a reward for his role in the club's maiden Premier League title victory, vice-chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha has said.
Italian Ranieri took over from Nigel Pearson on a three-year contract in July and Leicester are keen to offer him improved terms and tie him down to a long-term deal in the wake of his spectacular achievement.
"At the end of the season we will talk about that (extending Ranieri's contract) with him," Srivaddhanaprabha said.
"We will sit down together and when we talk about something, it's long term, not just until September. I like people to work for me when they are happy and enjoy working with the group of people."
Srivaddhanaprabha, son of Leicester's billionaire Thai owner Vichai, reiterated the club's commitment to keeping their best players and strengthening the squad in the close season.
Speculation has mounted in the days following Leicester's remarkable title triumph that the likes of midfielder Riyad Mahrez, midfield enforcer N'Golo Kante and top scorer Jamie Vardy may be lured away by bigger rivals in England or Europe.
"We will try everything that we can to build the team and to secure the same group of players and add some quality," Aiyawatt added.
"I have to talk to all of the scouts when they give me the lists. I have to talk to Claudio about which player he wants. I always support, always."
Award for Ranieri
Meanwhile, Ranieri has been named the Premier League manager of the month for April, while Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has won the award for the players.
Ranieri guided his team to three victories and a draw during the month which helped the Foxes, who started as 5,000-1 outsiders to win the league, secure their first English league title in the club's 132-year-old history.
This was the third award this season for Ranieri, who was named Italian football's coach of the season on Monday for his extraordinary achievement in guiding Leicester to the most unlikely of Premier League triumphs.
Aguero scored in all of City's five games in April, including a stunning hat-trick in the win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on April 16.
The Argentine has struggled with injuries this term but still managed 23 league goals, and is in contention with Harry Kane (25 goals) and Jamie Vardy (24) for the golden boot, despite playing 900 minutes less than the pair.
Aguero's goals have put his club in the driving seat in the race to finish in the top four, as City need a draw in Sunday's trip to Swansea City to confirm their qualification for next season's Champions League.
