Ranieri on possible Roma tactics, Leicester lessons and ‘great’ Totti and De Rossi | OneFootball

Claudio Ranieri has revealed that he plans to take things game-by-game when it comes to his tactical set-up at Roma, explaining that the Giallorossi could line up in a back three, four or five depending on the opposition that they come up against.

The 73-year-old gave his first press conference on Friday afternoon, following his appointment as head coach of the Giallorossi until the end of the 2024-25 season on Thursday.

The 2016 Premier League winner discussed a number of different topics during his re-introduction to the press, including Roma’s approach, his possible tactical set-up, the motivation tactics he deployed at Leicester and in France, and a message for the supporters at the Stadio Olimpico.

Ranieri: ‘Only Roma or Cagliari’

Ranieri began by explaining he would have only returned to management in two circumstances.

“I stopped coaching for a while, and I’m not just saying it, but I’ve had more offers over the last few months and I always turned them down,” Ranieri said during his press conference, reported via TMW.

“There were only two cases where I could return to coaching: For Roma or for Cagliari.

“I wanted to look at football from a different place. Fate wanted me to come back here, it’s fate. I started here as a player and I’ll finish here as a coach.”

Claudio Ranieri, head coach of Cagliari, celebrates under his fans during the Serie A TIM match between US Sassuolo and Cagliari at Mapei Stadium – Citta’ del Tricolore on May 19, 2024 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

How Roma could set up under Ranieri

Ranieri went on to explain how his side could set up tactically and what has changed in that respect since he last took charge of the Giallorossi.

“Nowadays, all the coaches try to make changes during the game to upset the opposition’s plans,” he said. “I can’t tell you one thing, because I could change it along the way. I will change it up, I will play three, four or a five (at the back), I will see game-by-game.”

The coach also issued a rallying cry to the supporters at the Stadio Olimpico, who get watch their fourth coach this calendar year in Ranieri.

“I’m a fan first and foremost, this is why I feel I can tell our fans to stick with us. Playing at home in front of a whistling crowd hurts us. I believe in luck and if you sweat and pursue, luck has to change in the end. I want a united support.”

VERONA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 03: Fans of AS Roma during the Serie A match between Verona and AS Roma at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on November 03, 2024 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Ranieri says that he has certain motivational tactics that he used during his time with Leicester City and with Nice in Ligue 1, which he expects to work again in Rome.

“I have rewards for achieving certain goals. It’s logical that I reward the achievement of goals, I also did it in Ligue 1 and with Leicester. I’m always positive, right to the end. Even as a player I have everything on the pitch.”

He also spoke about the conversations he has had with the club’s owners so far: “I’m close to the Friedkins, we do everything together, we’ll talk and discuss. Only those who try make mistakes. We’ll try to do things that take us in the right direction.”

What Totti and De Rossi can offer

Ranieri was also asked about the statuses of club legends Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi, and gave his thoughts on whether either still have a role to play at the Stadio Olimpico.

On Totti, Ranieri said: “We need to think about bringing Roma to the top. Then we’ll see if Francesco can give us a hand. This doesn’t mean that Totti is returning to Roma, just to be clear.”

And, on De Rossi, he added: “We’ve spoken and we will speak again. Daniele is a great person, and I will speak to him as well. There has been a bit of a shock to the system, but I hope to push everyone in the same direction.”

Former Roma coach Daniele De Rossi looks on during the Italian Serie A soccer match AS Roma vs Empoli FC at Olimpico stadium in Rome, Italy, 25 August 2024. EPA-EFE/ANGELO CARCONI

Ranieri also made it clear that improving the mood in and around the dressing room is the thing that is most important to him right now.

“The dressing room is what’s important, not the management. The fewer people I see around the place, the better. Unfortunately in Italy, there always has to be a President, less common with foreign owners. The family realised that a figure like me is important. I’ll tell you what they told me: “I want to take Roma to high levels, that’s why I’ve called you.”