Graeme Le Saux says Claudio Ranieri is a Tinkerman no more

Claudio Ranieri stands on the brink of a remarkable Premier League crown because he has ditched the tinkering, according to his former player Graeme Le Saux.

Ranieri's Leicester need three points from their last three matches to land the title and complete their astonishing transformation from relegation favourites to champions.

Yet few took the Italian seriously when he was appointed last summer, having previously gained his infamous 'Tinkerman' nickname for constantly changing his team during a three-and-a-half year spell at Chelsea.

Back in December Foxes fan and TV host Gary Lineker even promised to present Match of the Day in his underpants if Leicester went on to win the league.

Yet former Chelsea left-back Le Saux insists Ranieri's eccentric manner is merely a front, behind which lies a 'shrewd and ruthless' operator.

"That's all veneer, don't be fooled, that's part design," said Le Saux. "He's a very shrewd operator and he wouldn't shirk a big decision. B ehind the smile there's a ruthless football manager, a guy who is happy to make big decisions.

"At Leicester he hasn't had to, the team picks itself. He's not had to deal with dropping big names and moving people on. Once he's established his team and his shape, he's been the polar opposite to what we were calling him, the Tinkerman.

"Did he tinker too much? Yes, and it's frustrating as a player when you work on a system all week and on the day of the game he changes it. But that's not a criticism of who he is now

"When he took over I wasn't prepared to bring those flaws out because it was 12 years since I worked with him, so I thought 'give him a chance', and obviously I won't be the one wearing my pants on a TV show any time soon."

:::Graeme Le Saux was taking in part in a Vauxhall event at Wembley- win tickets to watch England vs Portugal at Wembley on June 2nd go to www.vauxhallfootball.co.uk:::