Chelsea sack Ranieri

Chelsea have dismissed manager Claudio Ranieri, the English Premier League side announced on Monday. 8216;8216;Claudio has done a first-class job for the club and has paved the way for future success,8217;8217; a Chelsea spokesman said. 8216;8216;We would like to wish Claudio all the best for the future. We are discussing the exact terms of his departure with him and his representatives.8217;8217;

The spokesman added no immediate announcement would be made on Ranieri8217;s successor, but said the club expected to say something within the next 48 hours.

Ranieri8217;s job has been under threat since Chelsea were taken over by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich in July. He is expected to be replaced by Porto8217;s Jose Mourinho.

Ranieri, 52, replaced Gianluca Vialli at Chelsea in September 2000, after coaching Valencia, Fiorentina and Atletico Madrid.