Claudio Ranieri is once again on the verge of a big comeback – this time not with a club team, but at the head of the Italian national team.
After officially ending his career as a club coach with an emotional farewell to Roma, fate knocked on his door again – this time with a special mission: to save Italy and the dream of the upcoming World Cup.
Three years ago, on stage at the Trento Festival, Ranieri called Cagliari “mother“ and Roma – “wife”, as if he had a premonition that fate would take him back to the beginning. And indeed, just two months later he returned to Sardinia to write a new chapter in an already legendary coaching career. But no one, not even himself, did not expect that after the end of the club epic a new door would open - that of the national team.
The phone call yesterday afternoon caught him off guard, but the question was more emotional than professional: “How can I say “no“? That would be like saying no to myself. To me - a Roma fan and a national team fan. Can I back out?“ The Friedkin family, the owners of Roma, have agreed to the dual role - Italy coach and personal advisor to the club president.
The Federation does not seem to be against such an option either, especially given the urgent need for a leader with vision, charisma and experience. “And indeed - if Cagliari is the “mother“ and Roma is the “wife“, then Italy… Italy is ourselves. The mission seems almost impossible, but can one say “no” to oneself?”, writes “La Gazzetta dello Sport”.