Craig Shakespeare’s half-time plea to Leicester stars to win the game or he would be sacked
Foxes boss knew writing was on the wall as his side trailed West Brom and Leicester stars are 'devastated' they could not save him from the axe
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SACKED Leicester boss Craig Shakespeare made a desperate half-time dressing room plea to his players during their 1-1 draw with West Brom on Monday, begging: "Win this or I'm getting fired."
Shakespeare was dumped by the Foxes on Tuesday, just four months into a three-year deal in charge at the King Power Stadium.
And SunSport can reveal the dramatic half-time call the boss made for his players to beat West Brom on Monday night to keep him in his job.
The 53-year-old knew he was under pressure going into the clash with the Baggies on Monday with his side rooted in the relegation zone of the Premier League.
So when the game reached half-time with the score at 0-0, Claudio Ranieri's replacement felt there was no choice but to launch his final plea to his team.
As the Leicester squad sat in the dressing room waiting for their instructions, Shakespeare is understood to have told them they "needed to win or he was sacked".
With Shakespeare such a well-liked figure among the players, the team went out for the second half determined to deliver for their boss.
But they were helpless to stop Nacer Chadli's brilliant free-kick from firing West Brom ahead - and though Riyad Mahrez equalised they failed to get the win so desperately needed.
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The following morning Shakespeare was summoned in for a meeting with owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and told he was out of a job.
A source told SunSport his sacking is understood to have gone down badly with the Leicester players, who are said to be devastated they did not save him from the axe.
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Now the squad have to lift themselves ahead of the crucial trip to Swansea on Saturday with coach Michael Appleton in temporary charge.
The Foxes are currently third from bottom in the Premier League, with just one win from their opening eight matches.
Leicester are now on the search for their third manager of 2017, with Wales boss Chris Coleman and Burnley manager Sean Dyche among the early favourites.
