Less than a year ago, Claudio Ranieri crowned a successful and graceful career by leading Leicester City Football Club as their manager to the greatest upset in football history. At enormous odds , Leicester wins the premier league title. There is talk of a movie being made of the feat
The board of Leicester joins in global recognition and joy at the team’s astonishing success. A month ago, after half a season of disappointing results, the board gave him their full backing. Two days ago, his team again showed fighting spirit. A day ago, the same board fired him ‘in the long-term interests of the club’.
Actions have consequences
It is a symptom of leadership failure often associated with abuse of power, and a lack of appreciation of long-term consequences of such actions.
A toxic default mode
The lessons from the past suggest it can become a toxic default mode in football. Aston Villa (‘deadly’ Doug); Newcastle (a hereditary flaw in a great culture); even Chelsea (whisper it, Roman Abramovich); and now last year’s local and global heroes Leicester.
‘Sad’ (As another well-known businessman, entertainment show host and would-be politician likes to tweet).
Sad. Toxic. Rarely effective. Weakness masquerading as strength.
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