Former Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri maintains he had the support of his players right up until the end.
The Italian was sacked as Leicester boss in February, just nine months after bringing the Foxes to the most unlikely Premier League title success we've ever seen.
Reports before and after his sacking claimed that a cabal had formed in the dressing room, and ultimately canvassed the board to replace him. However speaking this evening on Monday Night Football on Sky Sports, Ranieri was adamant that he had their full support.
While he holds no grudge against the players - who have since won six games from seven under Craig Shakespeare - he does have an idea who was responsible for the fairytale coming to an end.
"I can’t believe, I can’t believe my players kill me. No, No, No.
"I listen to a lot of stories about this, maybe it could be somebody behind me. But also this problem, a little problem I had the year before and we won the title. Maybe these people, this year when we lose, they push a little more.
"I don't want to say who it is. I am a loyal man. What I had to say, I said face to face."
Despite just one win in 10 games in all competitions leading up the his sacking, Ranieri says he feels his team turned a corner during his final match in charge. On the night, Leicester were beaten 2-1 by Sevilla in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie, but a second half away goal clawed them back into the tie, which they eventually won three weeks later.
Ranieri says he saw a togetherness amongst his players in the final 45 minutes in Seville.
"I believe sooner or later you had to re-tune, I believe our turning point was the Sevilla match. I saw in the second half. Everybody was fighting together again, and Jamie (Vardy) scored a goal.
"To go to Sevilla, Sevilla was the team that won the Europa League three times in a row. It’s not easy to go there and lose 2-1 and have an open match at home.
"When I was sacked it was a shock to me, but also to a lot of people."
Despite backing his former players, Ranieri did hint that motivation had been a problem in the group early this season, with several players unfamiliar in their new surroundings as Premier League champions.
"It wasn't easy, because I knew that the second year was totally different, because when you won the title, the players had to understand what happened, and reset their mind, because it’s not easy. It’s not a big team who are used to staying at the top and fighting for the title."
However, he's never been one to harbour a grudge, and says he'll always treasure his time with the club.
"Leicester, it will be in my heart for all my life, because I had won something in Europe, but never the title. Three times I was runner up. This time i won the title, and this time Leicester and the fans will always be in my heart."
