Ranieri: ‘Roma are very close to choosing new coach’ | OneFootball

Claudio Ranieri reiterated he will retire at the end of the season and ruled out a number of names, but now reveals Roma are ‘close to choosing our new coach.’

The veteran came out of retirement in October as Roma’s third tactician of the campaign after Daniele De Rossi and Ivan Juric.

The change has been astonishing, going from hovering over the relegation zone to fighting for a top four finish.

Despite everyone from players and fans to the club hierarchy asking him to reconsider, Ranieri is adamant he will retire at the end of this season and pass on the baton to a new boss.

“We are very close to choosing our new coach,” Ranieri has now told Il Messaggero newspaper.

They released only a brief advance of the interview that he has given and will be in Thursday’s edition.

Ranieri keeps Roma fans guessing on replacement

ALKMAAR, NETHERLANDS – JANUARY 23: Head Coach Claudio Ranieri of AS Roma looks on ahead of the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between AZ Alkmaar and AS Roma at AZ Stadion on January 23, 2025 in Alkmaar, Netherlands. (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)

He had already surprised many by announcing that Gian Piero Gasperini of Atalanta, who at the time was being heavily linked with the Stadio Olimpico bench, would not be their next boss.

This week, sacked Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag visited the Trigoria training ground and dined with Ranieri and Mats Hummels, but his representative assured it was not with an eye on taking the job.

Roma will face Lazio in the Derby della Capitale on Sunday evening and Ranieri hopes to defend his remarkable record.

“I am pleased to have won derbies, but that is all water under the bridge. Just like the game with Juventus is in the past,” Ranieri told Il Messaggero.

“My mind now is on the next derby. We have to do well, give our fans some satisfaction, and fight hard.”