Claudio Ranieri gave his Stamford Bridge paymasters food for thought on Friday when he was named the Premier League's manager of the month for March.

The award comes after weeks of fevered speculation over the Italian's future at Chelsea which insisted England boss Sven Goran Eriksson was being groomed to succeed him in the manager's hot-seat.

Despite the pressure, Ranieri has presided over a run of three Premiership wins which have put the club into second place in the league behind Arsenal as well as a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

"I am pleased," said Ranieri.

"I want to say thank you to my players. When the manager achieves something it is because his players have won, have played well, have played with strong character and I am very happy, very pleased. It is the second time this season, unbelievable!" The organisers of the award also praised the Italian.

"Loved by the fans, and respected by his players, Claudio Ranieri has done a fantastic job at Chelsea under the media spotlight," said a spokesman for the awards' sponsors.

"He has always focused on what matters most, the football, and appears to be relishing the challenge before him."

Despite his record at Chelsea and Eriksson having put pen to paper to stay with England, Ranieri is still expected to be replaced at the end of the season.