Ranieri: ‘Italy must fall back in love with football, teach kids technical skill’ | OneFootball

Claudio Ranieri wants people to ‘fall back in love with football’ in Italy by reforming academies as technical director of Club Italia. ‘We are good at team tactics, other nations teach individual technique.’

The former Roma, Chelsea and Leicester City coach has once again come out of retirement, taking the job as President and technical director of Club Italia, effectively overseeing the various levels of the Nazionale and academies all over the country.

The position had gone to Paolo Maldini under three weeks ago, but that experience was cut short by a difference in opinion on who to hire as coach.

Now Roberto Mancini is back after three years as the CT, presented in a joint press conference with Ranieri.

Ranieri starting new Italy adventure

Technical Director Claudio Ranieri and coach Roberto Mancini pose with the Italy jersey (@azzurri)

“It is the crowning moment of a career and I didn’t believe it when I saw Giovanni Malagò’s call arrive. I was at the beach, as you can see from my tan. I know it will be a difficult situation, but my career as a coach speaks volumes about dealing with difficulties. I never held back,” said Ranieri.

“There are two crucial things. The first is to get people to fall back in love with football. The second is so kids like my grandchild who is 12 years old can watch Italy at a World Cup, which he has never done.”

Maldini had spoken about a 10-year plan to revamp Italian football schools, and Ranieri identified some of the core problems that have seen talent dry up.

“I was in Cagliari and someone told me kids spend too much money to attend football schools, so many families cannot afford it. That cannot be.

“I’ve got to see how this all works and figure out how to resolve it, because in a world where kids are drawn to so many other games and sports, we’ve got to get them back in love with football.

“A month ago I was also at an event and pointed out that Italy do very well at youth levels, we win trophies, go to finals, it is the final step from Under-21 onwards that is where we struggle.

“It’s too easy to say we don’t get there, but it’s because we don’t have enough players to choose from. We won the Euros at youth level because we are good at tactics, but abroad the team tactics are not as exasperating as they are here.

“We’ve got to develop individual tactics and technique in academies, how to control the ball, movement, how to cross, take shots. We’ve got to teach kids how to control the ball.

“Coaches say they don’t have time for that, because they have to win. That is the wrong way of doing it. You don’t start kids playing tennis and throw them straight into a match.”

ROME, ITALY – MAY 04: Claudio Ranieri, Head Coach of AS Roma looks on prior to the Serie A match between AS Roma and Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico on May 04, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Many feared that when Maldini stepped down and Ranieri was appointed, it would mean he wouldn’t be ready to modernise the way the sport is taught in Italy.

“When Maldini said we need 10 years, I believe he meant we needed to work with those who are currently 10-14 years old. These are the lads who need help to become great. The difference between us and other nations is we are good tactically as teams, but they are good technically as players,” insisted Ranieri.

“In the past, we had fewer football academies, but we had places for kids to play in the square, where they could dribble and enjoy themselves. Now they are told only do two touches, pass it quickly, they are not taught to dribble.”

epa12115307 Roma�s coach Claudio Ranieri greets supporters as he is honored after the Italian Serie A soccer match between AS Roma and AC Milan, in Rome, Italy, 18 May 2025. EPA-EFE/ANGELO CARCONI

Last year before Gennaro Gattuso was brought in, Ranieri had been offered the job of Italy coach, although he had only just gone back to Roma. Does he regret that decision?

“I never regretted something I chose with my heart. I was under contract with Roma, I could not break that bond with the club I love, and it would’ve been a terrible conflict of interest if I had covered both roles. Trust me, I would’ve loved to do it, but it was not possible and I said no with a heavy heart.”

Ranieri has said several times now that he is retired, and yet keeps coming back for more football jobs, so what does his wife think about this new role?

“I won’t make her move house for the first time, so at least she’ll be happy!”

Gian Piero Gasperini is the new Roma coach

Last season he took on a special advisor role at Roma, but was fired in April after disagreements with coach Gian Piero Gasperini.

“Everything is a learning experience. It was an interesting year, which gave me so much that I was not accustomed to, but that is why it was a formative experience,” concluded the 74-year-old.