Leicester striker Jamie Vardy says speculation that he was involved in manager Claudio Ranieri’s dismissal is “untrue and extremely hurtful”.
Ranieri was sacked on Thursday, nine months after leading the club to the Premier League title.
Caretaker manager Craig Shakespeare previously denied a player revolt had led to Ranieri’s dismissal.
“Claudio has and always will have my complete respect,” Vardy said in a post on Instagram.
“There is speculation I was involved in his dismissal and this is completely untrue, unfounded and is extremely hurtful.
“The only thing we are guilty of as a team is underachieving, which we all acknowledge both in the dressing room and publicly, and will do our best to rectify.”
Last season’s champions dropped into the relegation zone on Saturday following Crystal Palace’s win over Middlesbrough.
Vardy scored 24 goals as the Foxes secured an unlikely Premier League title in 2015-16, but the striker has struggled this season.
He ended a nine-game goal drought during Leicester’s 2-1 Champions League loss at Sevilla, which proved to be Ranieri’s last match in charge.
“He believed in me when many didn’t and for that I owe him my eternal gratitude,” former Fleetwood striker Vardy wrote.
“I wish Claudio the very, very best in whatever the future holds for him. Thank you Claudio for everything.”
