Leicester City manager Craig Shakespeare challenged his team to reach the Champions League again on Wednesday, a day after his team were eliminated in the Champions League quarter-finals, losing 2-1 on aggregate to Atletico Madrid in the second leg.
“The whole club, from the supporters to the players to the owners can be immensely proud,” said Shakespeare. “We had them rattled with the effort and commitment we showed. It’s no discredit to lose to a team of that calibre. I’ve just said to the players that they should want more of this and they’ve agreed that that’s what they want. All players want to play at the highest level and the Champions League is the highest level but we have to get back to winning ways in the Premier League now.”
Shakespeare was pleased with his side’s display and he knew that the pressure was on the Foxes to perform. “In the first half, we played really well but the goal changes the game plan - we knew we had to score three - so I had to make the change,” Shakespeare said during an interview. “In terms of effort, commitment, application - as a group we were tremendous. The momentum was with us when Jamie scored but it just wasn’t to be.”
Shakespeare was appointed Leicester manager until the end of the season following Claudio Ranieri’s sacking. The 53-year-old won six wins in his first six games to help the Foxes away from the relegation zone. They are currently 12th on the table.
In response to speculation about his future, Shakespeare said, “It’s not in my hands. It’s in the club’s hands. I’ve said we’d sit down at the end of the season. I’m more than happy to do that before if it arises but the contract says until the end of the season. I’ve enjoyed it, pitting your wits against one of the best managers in the world, one of the best sides in the world. Now is a time to reflect and I’m sure at the end of the season I’ll be able to reflect on my own performance as well as the club’s.”