Jamie Vardy reveals death threats in wake of Claudio Ranieri's sacking

The 30-year-old forward, who was a Sheffield Wednesday academy player until he was released at the age of 15 for being too small, also claimed his wife had been cut up while driving with the couple's children in the car after Raniei was dismissed.

Vardy and Foxes team-mates Marc Albrighton, Kasper Schmeichel and Wes Morgan have all denied claims that players had met with Leicester's owners following their 2-1 Champions League defeat in Seville last month.

Ranieri, who guided Leicester to the Premier League title last season, was dismissed 24 hours later.

Vardy, who could start in England's international against Germany on Wednesday, insisted he played no part in the Italian's departure and revealed it had caused him and his family to be targeted by disgruntled fans.

He said: "I read one story that said it (the meeting) was straight after the Seville game. It said I was personally involved in a meeting when I was actually sat in anti-doping for three hours.

"Then of course the story is out there and people pick it up and jump on it and you're getting death threats about your family, kids, everything.

"On social media, you name it - walking down the street. To be honest I get them every week.

"Football fans don't seem to like me. I just get on with it but when people are trying to cut your missus up while she's driving along, with the kids in the back of the car, it's not the best.

"It is terrifying. All that can happen is they get banned on Twitter. People get cut up but if there's no cameras you're screwed."

Vardy's rise to stardom came after the then 'devastated' teenager was released by Wednesday and went on to play for Stocksbridge Park Steels while working in a city factory.

He moved to Halifax Town for a £15,000 transfer fee and then Fleetwood, before making history by becoming the first £1 million non-league player in English football when he signed for Leicester in 2012.

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