Ranieri wins manager of the month award

Claudio Ranieri today toasted his manager of the month award but warned his players not to use continued uncertainty over his job as an excuse should they falter in Chelsea’s biggest week of the season.

Blues boss Ranieri was left stunned last Saturday when a national newspaper printed photographs Stamford Bridge chief executive Peter Kenyon meeting England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson.

However, within 24 hours Eriksson had announced he was to remain with England and had signed a new contract until 2008.

Ranieri kept his nerve and today ended his rollercoaster week on a high when he was named Barclaycard manager of the month for March as a reward for Premiership victories over Bolton, Fulham and Wolves.

Ranieri confirmed he has held talks this week with Kenyon, who had previously warned a season without silverware would be regarded as a failure, and added: “I’ve won three trophies now!

“We won the Malaysia Cup last summer and I was manager of the month in September and so now – so I’ve won the treble.

“I’m pleased with the new award and want to say thanks to my players as I’ve won this award because of them.”

Despite this award, however, there is no end to the pressure on Ranieri as his future remains uncertain and his team now enter the most crucial week of their campaign.

The Blues go into tomorrow’s clash at Tottenham with the weight of expectation on their shoulders as Arsenal’s involvement in tomorrow’s FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United at Villa Park means Chelsea could cut the Gunners’ lead to just four points.

Ranieri’s men then face Arsene Wenger’s side at Highbury on Tuesday in the Champions League, knowing only victory will propel them to the semi-finals.

The Italian coach today told his players not to even consider suggesting they were affected by his own position should they come undone against the two north London clubs over the next four days.

“Maybe the stories about Eriksson are finished now and people will talk about another manager,” Ranieri said.

“I wasn’t preoccupied by the speculation before. Speculation isn’t important and would only be an excuse for my players. I don’t want an excuse – I want to win.

“This is the crunch now. It’s the moment like they have in Spain when the toreador enters the bullfighting arena.

“I spoke to my players this morning and said ‘We’ve got eight matches to go and 10 months ago we wanted to be in this position’.

“Everyone must show their hearts now and we must try to do our best.

“We must try to achieve something. We’re in a big race and we want to try to do well.

“We’ve got another London derby against Tottenham. They’re past their bad moments and it will be a hard game.”

Ranieri also revealed today that he spoke to Eriksson last Friday, the day after the England coach met Kenyon.

Ranieri added: “I spoke with him and said I wanted him to rest Wayne Bridge and Frank Lampard for England’s game against Sweden.

“I have a good relationship with Eriksson. English people might think things are strange but for me, as an Italian manager, nothing is strange in football.

“This is the football world and I’m very focussed and try to do my best.”

Ranieri, who disclosed talks will take places with Birmingham and their on-loan Chelsea striker Mikael Forssell at the end of the season, will be without Juan Sebastian Veron against Spurs as the Argentinian is still not fully fit after his back injury.

Veron’s fellow countryman Hernan Crespo has been passed fit, however, after returning from international action in midweek when he was his country’s goalscorer in their World Cup qualifier against Ecuador.

Goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini (hand), right-back Glen Johnson (ankle) and midfielder Emmanuel Petit (knee) are all still sidelined.