Jose Mourinho changes tune with Claudio Ranieri tribute

Leicester City replaced Chelsea as English champions on Monday night after Tottenham could only draw 2-2 at Stamford Bridge.

The most unlikely Premier League title of all was recognised by Mourinho as he symbolically handed over his crown.

"I want to congratulate everyone connected to Leicester; players, staff, owners and fans,” said Mourinho in a statement.

Mourinho has not always been so generous in his praise of Ranieri, the man he replaced as Chelsea manager.

"In 2004, after coming to Chelsea and asking why Ranieri was replaced, I was told they wanted to win and it was never going to happen with him,” Mourinho once said.

“It is really not my fault if he was considered a loser at Chelsea."

Another Mourinho jibe from 2008 attacked the Italian for failing to learn English properly and not winning any serious trophies.

"Ranieri...has the mentality of someone who doesn’t need to win. He is almost 70 years old. He has won a Supercup and another small trophy and he is too old to change his mentality,” Mourinho said.

"He’s old and he hasn’t won anything. I studied Italian five hours a day for many months to ensure I could communicate with the players, media and fans. Ranieri had been in England for five years and still struggled to say ‘good morning’ and ‘good afternoon.'"