Premier League: Claudio Ranieri extends contract with Leicester City

Italian manager Claudio Ranieri has agreed a new contract with Leicester City, a new deal that will keep him at the club until June 2020. The new contract was signed just a few days before the Foxes open their Premier League season at Hull on Saturday, august 13. Last season Ranieri led Leicester City to the Premier League title, the biggest surprise in European football since Verona took the title in Italy back in 1985. The odds for Leicester to win last season's title were at 5000/1 before the start of the campaign, but that didn't matter as the Foxes won their first ever top-flight title. It also was Ranieri's first ever top-flight title as a manager. Ranieri said after signing the new contract: "From the moment I talked to the owners about their vision for Leicester City, I knew it was something I wanted to be part of for a long time. The energy that exists at this club - from the owners and the staff, to the players and supporters - is something very special. I am very happy and proud that I will be part of it for years to come. Last season, that spirit and our hard work helped us to achieve something magical. If we can continue to work hard, maintain our passion and continue to fight with all our hearts, I am sure we can continue to be successful together." Leicester vice-chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said: "Twelve months ago, we brought to Leicester City a man whose knowledge and experience, we felt, could lead us into the next phase of our long-term plan. What he would go on to help us achieve, in the time we have achieved it, has been beyond anything we could have anticipated. Claudio's qualities, both as a man and as a coach, have been very clear since the moment he arrived - qualities that have helped Leicester City to progress on every level. We have strong foundations from which to keep moving our club forward and I'm delighted that Claudio will continue to be part of that journey." Leicester City are 28/1 at Bet365 to repeat last season's achievement and win the Premier League title once again.