Ex-Leicester City boss Ranieri coy on Leeds link

Former Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri has refused to comment on speculation linking him with the newly-vacant manager’s position at Leeds United.

The Elland Road hot seat was freed up by Garry Monk’s shock resignation on Thursday and Ranieri, who was sacked by the Foxes in February, is now one of the favourites to be the next man in charge at Leeds.

Leeds’ new Italian owner Andrea Radrizzani is reportedly keen to bring in his 65-year-old countryman but, speaking on Friday, Ranieri wasn’t giving much away.

“I don’t know anything about this Leeds story. I haven’t spoken to them,” said the former Chelsea, Inter Milan and Monaco boss.

(Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)

“I’m in London to watch the [FA] Cup final. I’ll be supporting my old team Chelsea, of course.”

When asked if he would be interested in the Leeds job, Ranieri said: “I prefer not to speculate.”

Monk had been expected to agree a one-year extension to his contract as Leeds manager but quit after talks with the new owner Radrizzani, claiming they could not agree “a suitable way forward”.

Ranieri, who led Leicester to the Premier League title in the 2015-16 season, has never managed in England’s second tier.