Claudio Ranieri has said news of his dismissal as Leicester City manager came as a huge shock.
Ranieri, 65, was removed from his post in February, just nine months after leading Leicester to an unexpected Premier League title.
Ranieri has kept a low profile since, but appeared on stage this week at Rebibbia prison in his homeland of Italy in a ceremony to honour regional football coaches in the country.
And speaking in front of inmates, he revealed his astonishment at being told of his sacking, which came the day after Leicester's first-leg defeat to Sevilla in the Champions League round of 16 -- a tie they went on to win.
"Thinking of Leicester, the first thing that comes to mind is the sense of surprise, even more than bitterness,'' Ranieri is quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport.
"I have been through a lot in my long career, but never anything like this. It was a shock, but in the end these things are part of football.''
Ranieri also confirmed he would be speaking in more detail about his departure from Leicester when he appears as a pundit on Sky Sports for the Premier League clash between Crystal Palace and Arsenal on April 10.
"Until that day I will not talk,'' he said. "Because everything took place in England and it seems fitting to talk in England.''