Zurich: Claudio Ranieri was named FIFA`s best men`s coach of 2016 on Monday, after leading Leicester City to a fairytale Premier League title triumph.


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The Italian beat out France`s Zinedine Zidane, who steered Real Madrid to Champions League glory in his first year as manager and Fernando Santos, the mastermind behind Portugal`s Euro 2016 championship success.


Ranieri, 65, said the honour was "incredible" after receiving the prize from Argentine football legend Diego Maradona.


Under Ranieri`s leadership, Leicester pulled off one of the greatest shocks in English football history by defying title odds of 5,000-1 to lift the Premier League trophy.


Having miraculously avoided relegation the previous season, the Foxes rode that wave of momentum all the way to a title.


Asked about his extraordinary season upon entering the award venue in Zurich, Ranieri said: "The little team won the title. It`s amazing and I am very happy."


FIFA is hosting its inaugural "Best" awards after ending its six-year collaboration with France Football magazine for the Ballon d`Or.