Leicester assistants Craig Shakespeare and Steve Walsh sign new deals

Head of recruitment Walsh unearthed Riyad Mahrez, Jamie Vardy and N’Golo Kante

Steve Walsh looks on at Leicester City training with club manager Claudio Ranieri. Photograph: Getty Images
Steve Walsh looks on at Leicester City training with club manager Claudio Ranieri. Photograph: Getty Images

Leicester head of recruitment Steve Walsh and assistant manager Craig Shakespeare have signed new contracts with the Barclays Premier League champions, the club have confirmed.

The pair have been in talks about extending their stay at the King Power Stadium for several weeks and they have now put pen to paper on the deals, which are thought to run until the summer of 2018.

Foxes boss Claudio Ranieri had said he was keen to see improved contracts for the two men, who have been instrumental in both Leicester's return to the top flight and this season's title success.

Walsh and his scouting team have unearthed gems such as Riyad Mahrez, Jamie Vardy and N'Golo Kante while Shakespeare has played a pivotal role in maintaining the bond between the players and staff following last summer's departure of former manager Nigel Pearson.

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Ranieri said: “When I arrived at Leicester, I could never have expected to find a group of staff so well equipped to take a club forward.

“Craig and Steve have been very important to this and I am very pleased to have had their support in understanding the players and helping them to understand my philosophy.

“They are great men doing fantastic jobs for Leicester City and I am very happy that they have committed further with the football club.”

Shakespeare and Walsh have been on the coaching staff at Leicester since November 2011.