London, Feb 24 (IANS): Claudio Ranieri, who led Leicester City to the English Premier League title last season, has been sacked.

"The board reluctantly feels that a change of leadership, while admittedly painful, is necessary in the club's greatest interest," said a club statement on Thursday, reports Xinhua news agency.

The 65-year-old Italian lost only three matches en route to the league champion last season. This season, Leicester has won just five league games.

They have lost their past five league matches and are the only side in the top four English divisions without a league goal in 2017.

Vice Chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said: "This has been the most difficult decision we have had to make in nearly seven years since King Power took ownership of Leicester City.

"But we are duty-bound to put the Club's long-term interests above all sense of personal sentiment, no matter how strong that might be."

It said assistant manager Craig Shakespeare and first team coach Mike Stowell will take charge of the squad until a new manager is appointed. Their next match will be against Liverpool on Saturday.