Jose Mourinho pays tribute to Claudio Ranieri with initials on shirt as he slams Leicester players after sacking

Jose Mourinho has condemned Leicester's 'selfish' players for letting down Claudio Ranieri after he was sacked just nine months on from lifting the Premier League title.

Mourinho turned up for his press conference with the initials 'CR' printed on his training top in dedication to Ranieri after posting a picture of them together on social media.

The Portuguese coach was also sacked the season after a title win — by Chelsea in December 2015 — but said that was 'peanuts' compared to the way Ranieri has been treated by Leicester.

And Mourinho saved his most scathing criticism for the players who are understood to have turned against the Italian.

'If some of the stories are true, it's hard to find words to justify it,' he said. 'As managers we have to cope with that.

'Probably the season started with the typical selfishness of others, people thinking about new contracts, leaving, more money, forgetting who helped them to reach a certain level.

'This is not just football, it's a bit of our world. Some principles are going away a bit. I'm really sorry about it but I lived a similar experience. I thought last season when I was sacked as a champion it was a giant negative thing; now I realise it was peanuts to what happened with Claudio.'

Asked about his tributes to Ranieri, Mourinho added: 'It is my little homage to somebody who wrote the most beautiful story of the Premier League. Somebody who deserves the stadium to be named Claudio Ranieri (Stadium) and he is sacked.

'Leicester made history two years in a row — because they did the most beautiful thing in the Premier League and one of most beautiful things in football history. Now they are also in the highlights with the decision that has united everyone in football because it is something very difficult to accept.

'My Instagram and shirt are homages. I don't think he needs more homages because no one can believe what he did. No one can delete history.

'It's Claudio's fault because if last season instead of being champion he finished 12th, it would be amazing and he would still be in a job, because Leicester play not to be relegated. He's paid for his success.'

Chelsea boss and fellow Italian Antonio Conte added: 'I am disappointed for Claudio because he is a friend, a good man, a really good manager. He achieved a dream.'

Sam Allardyce said: 'I was surprised about that dismissal more than any other this year. You don't get long these days. It's a great shame that his reign has come to an end after such history-making events which will never be achieved again.'

Sunderland manager David Moyes said: 'It's a disappointing day for managers all around the world if this is what can happen.'

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe said: 'He is still the manager who led them to the league and he will always be remembered for that.'

Daily Mail