Back Ranieri, urges Terry

Chelsea captain John Terry has urged the club’s power-brokers to give public support to manager Claudio Ranieri.

The England defender has admitted his “frustration” at the speculation that Ranieri will be on his way out of Stamford Bridge in the summer, with Sven-Goran Eriksson long rumoured to succeed him.

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon insisted a season without trophies would be deemed a “failure”, and Ranieri’s side’s only realistic chance of silverware is now the Champions League.

But Terry believes stability is crucial for the club to move forward.

“Claudio has been great to Chelsea and it wouldn’t hurt for the club to come out and support him,” Terry said.

“Hopefully, they will do so soon so everyone can concentrate on their football.

“We’re all frustrated about the speculation. If we can go all the way in the Champions League it’ll be a great repayment.

“We work with him every day and see the hard work he puts in – a lot of it in his own spare time as he comes back and works hard for us and tries to help us,” he told BBC Sport Online.

“Claudio’s been brilliant. We’re through to the last eight and it’s great. Everyone’s 100% behind Claudio.”