Ranieri silent on possible Roma return but ‘Cagliari more important than Leicester’ | OneFootball

Claudio Ranieri admits ‘Cagliari is more important than Leicester’ but refuses to reply to questions on his possible return to Roma.

The Italian tactician retired from club football after earning Serie A survival with Cagliari last season but said he was open to taking charge of a national team.

“I admit I have a desire to challenge myself even if I’ve already rejected a few proposals,” he reiterated in his latest interview with Corriere della Sera.

“Let’s see if a national team calls. Not Italy. I’ve got great trust in Spalletti.”

Recent reports in Italy suggest Ranieri could return to Roma as a technical director, joining the returnee Daniele De Rossi if Ivan Juric is sacked.

However, the 73-year-old he refused to answer questions about recent speculations and continued talking about his career instead.

“Cagliari is everything to me. My place in the world,” he said.

Ranieri silent on possible Roma return but ‘Cagliari more important than Leicester’

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 14: Claudio Ranieri, Head Coach of Cagliari Calcio, reacts during the Serie A TIM match between FC Internazionale and Cagliari at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 14, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“When I first arrived, I was a young coach with no certainities. I spent three amazing years from Serie C to Serie A with a survival.”

Ranieri was first appointed by Cagliari in 1988. The Sardinians were in Serie C but got promoted to Serie A in just two years.

The Italian tactician returned to Sardinia in 2022. He was first promoted to Serie A and then managed survival in Italy’s top flight last term.

“I feared I would disappoint people,” Ranieri said while talking about his second spell on the island.

“I feel a son of that land, but I told myself: don’t be selfish. Cagliari needed me and I accepted.

“Honestly, to me, Cagliari is more important than Leicester.”

Ranieri won a legendary Premier League title with the Foxes in 2016.

“I didn’t think we’d win. I am not a dreamer and I know how tough the Premier League is,” he said.

“My main concern in that period was to keep lightness inside the locker room.

“We conceded too many goals at the beginning, so I told the players: ‘If we keep a clean sheet, I’ll buy pizza for everyone.’ We found a place in the heart of Leicester that even allowed us to cook it. Amusing nights that helped me to cement the group.”

However, Ranieri didn’t always get the recognition he deserved in England, especially during his time at Chelsea when the media nicknamed him the ‘Tinkerman’.

“It’s an adjective with a double meaning. a Blunderer for those who don’t like me and somebody who fixes things for those who stand by my side,” he said.

“The truth is that I often changed the system and players, something that was quite common in Italy, but the English were not accustomed to it. I had a great time in London. I have a house there, and I often return.”

Ranieri coached De Rossi at Roma but was surprised to see the former midfielder in the dugout.

“I didn’t expect it. It’s a tricky job. The first thing needed is patience. I am sorry he was sacked; he had started a nice project.”

Whether they’ll work together again in the capital remains to be seen while under-fire Juric will take charge of Roma in a key home game against Torino this evening.