Valencia sack Ranieri

Former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri has been sacked as manager of Valencia, according to club president Juan Soler.

The Italian was ousted after the Spanish league leaders were dumped out of the UEFA Cup by Steaua Bucharest last night – a competition they won under Rafael Benitez.

Ranieri left Chelsea in the summer after failing to secure any silverware in the first season of the Roman Abramovich era at Stamford Bridge.

Earlier Ranieri insisted he would not resign. “I am a person who never gives in,” said Ranieri. “It’s a personal characteristic and I want to fight on – I never give in.”

Valencia’s season is quickly unravelling. They are only sixth in the Primera Liga and face a battle to qualify for European football next season.