MARTIN O’Neill will not be making a return to the Premier League, after Leicester City appointed Claudio Ranieri as the club’s new manager.
The Ireland boss was last week linked with a return to the club where he enjoyed great success between 1995 and 2000, but Leicester’s announcement on Monday ended any speculation.
Ranieri succeeds Nigel Pearson, who was dismissed last month, with the club stating at the time that “fundamental differences in perspective exist between us”.
The Italian, who has previously managed Chelsea, has joined the club on a three-year deal.
His arrival at the King Power Stadium follows his most recent managerial stint in charge of Greece.
Ranieri saw his side lose all four Euro 2016 qualifiers during his four months in charge, the last being a 1-0 defeat to Faroe Islands.
Ranieri’s appointment now means that the FAI will not need to search for a replacement for O’Neill, with the Irishman staying put for the next round of Euro 2016 qualifiers, which kicks off on September 4 against Gibraltar.
The 63-year-old has been in charge of Ireland since November 2013, but his first full qualifying campaign looks likely to end in failure to qualify for next year’s tournament in France.
O’Neill managed Leicester to League Cup success in 1996-97 and 1999-00 and, as such, is still fondly thought of by the Foxes’ support.
