Claudio Ranieri completes emotional return to former club aged 73 – just six months after Leicester’s title-winning boss called time on managerial career
- The Italian led the Foxes to a remarkable Premier League title but left in 2017
- He retired in May after keeping Cagliari but has now returned to Roma
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Claudio Ranieri has made an emotional comeback to management, taking over as head coach of his former club Roma at the age of 73.
The Italian took Leicester to the unlikeliest of Premier League titles in 2016 after taking charge of the relegation-threatened side at the start of the season.
He left the Foxes a year later and, after spells at Nantes, Fulham, Roma, Sampdoria and Watford, the 73-year-old confirmed his retirement at the end of last season after guiding Cagliari to safety in Serie A.
Ranieri had taken the club to successive promotions early in his career, before returning in 2023 and overseeing their return to Italy’s top flight.
Now he has returned to Roma, whom he has coached twice before, to try his hand at management again and has already become the team’s third boss this season.
The club confirmed the move on their official X account on Thursday, saying: ‘Claudio Ranieri is the new Head Coach of the First Team. Welcome home, coach!’
Claudio Ranieri has taken a step towards becoming Roma manager for the third time
The coach is best remembered for overseeing Leicester’s fairytale Premier League title win
Roma announced the return of their old boss on their official X account on Thursday
It is expected that the Italian will become the club’s agent until the end of the season currently 12th in Serie A despite spending over €100 million (£83 million) in Serie A summer transfer window.
Club legend Daniele De Rossi was sacked as Roma boss in September after a slow start to the season.
His successor Ivan Juric took charge of just twelve matches, with a 3–2 defeat to Bologna at the Stadio Olimpico proving he was in charge in the final match.
Juric left with a record of four wins, three draws and five defeats, with Roma going three games without a win.
A move to appoint Ranieri in an interim role is seen as a way to appease Roma supporters, who have protested against the club’s owners, The Friedkin Group, over their decision to sack De Rossi.
During Ranieri’s first spell in charge of Roma, the Italian almost led the club to the Serie A title.
Under his leadership, the team finished second in the 2009–10 season, finishing two points behind Inter Milan.
Inter, led by Jose Mourinho, also defeated Ranieri’s side in the Coppa Italia final on their way to completing a Treble.
Ranieri retired at the end of last season after leading Cagliari to safety in Serie A
Ranieri remains a beloved figure at Roma and received a standing ovation in 2022
Roma fans have protested against the club’s owners for sacking Daniele de Rossi in September
Ranieri managed a number of teams after Leicester, including an unsuccessful spell at Fulham
The Italian first became a household name in Britain during a four-year spell at Chelsea
Ranieri returned to Roma in 2019 to take temporary charge until the end of the season, with the club ultimately missing out on Champions League football after finishing sixth.
The veteran boss received a memorable welcome in 2022 when he attended the Europa Conference League semi-final between Roma and Leicester.
He received a standing ovation from both groups of supporters in recognition of his role at both clubs.
Ranieri is best remembered for his spell at Leicester between 2015 and 2017, where he famously helped the club to the Premier League title in 2016.
The Italian has had no fewer than 23 managerial appointments during his career.
His career spanned several of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Napoli.