Ranieri Confirms Final Derby as Roma Boss Ahead of Lazio Showdown | OneFootball

Roma head coach Claudio Ranieri addressed the press ahead of tonight’s Derby della Capitale against fiercest Serie A rivals Lazio. The 73-year-old confirmed it would be his last derby as a manager as he intends to return to retirement at the end of the season via Calciomercato.

Claudio Ranieri came out of retirement to help Roma navigate the troubled waters after Daniele De Rossi and Ivan Juric flopped in the dugout. The veteran manager has turned the club’s fortunes around, steering the Giallorossi back into the top-four race on the back of an outstanding 15-game unbeaten league run.

With only two points separating Roma from Lazio ahead of the kick-off, the 162nd edition of this iconic rivalry could determine the club’s fate this season. It will also be Ranieri’s last Derby della Capitale appearance as a manager.

Asked point blank whether he’ll bow out after this game, the Roma boss replied: “Yes, I’ve said I’m quitting. I understand the nuance.”

“I’ve already answered the media about the future. I know tomorrow will be a tough game. I’m not looking at what I did yesterday or with Juventus, but at the future,” the Roma coach added. “It will be a difficult match where we’ll try to do our best.

“I want the boys to fight like crazy. Then, if we win even with a bit of luck, I’ll be happy.

“Since I arrived, I’ve always said I set the team up to try to win. That’s what happened against Juventus too – they did well in the first 20 minutes, then we grew into it.

“We conceded, but we did well to equalize. This team is strong and believes in its ambitions. We want to give our all – I’m not making promises. I like to work, and we’ll give our maximum. Then we’ll see what Lazio is capable of doing,” the Roma tactician concluded.