Former Chelsea manager turned down surprise offer to return to club last year
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Premier League-winning manager Claudio Ranieri rejected the chance to return to Chelsea last year – only to come out of retirement anyway and become Roma manager.
The 73-year-old has had a long and varied managerial career, taking in spells at four English clubs: Chelsea, Leicester City, Fulham and Watford.
He is best-known for his time with the Foxes, with whom he won the 2015/16 Premier League title at odds of 5000-1 – one of the greatest sporting fairytales of all-time.
In the summer of 2024, Ranieri announced his retirement from the dugout following a second-spell with Cagliari, but just a few months later he was appointed head coach of Roma until the end of the season.
The Italian has also taken on an advisory role with the Serie A side,’transitioning into a senior executive role’, and will help them in their search for a new manager.
But it all could have been very different had Ranieri accepted an offer to return to Stamford Bridge where he served as manager from 2000 to 2004.
‘The Tinkerman’ has revealed that Chelsea wanted him in some sort of advisory role as well but he turned down his former club as he felt he was not well-suited to them.
Discussing his role at Roma, Ranieri told La Gazzetta dello Sport: ‘In England, they say that “Rome wasn't built in a day”.
‘Nobody has a magic wand. I was asked to put things back in their place, also while acting as an advisor.
‘They had already asked after me at Chelsea, but I said no. In England, I don't have the connections that I have here, which I need to do things properly.
‘Roma is my life, and now I have more experience, I'm vaccinated against every situation. It's also the realisation of a childhood dream, from somebody who stood in the Curva Sud.
‘I also like this dual role, between coaching and managing.’
There has been a great deal of change behind-the-scenes at Chelsea over the last few years following Todd Boehly’s takeover but after a number of managerial hirings and firings they look to be back on track on Enzo Maresca.
Roma have endured similar turmoil, having had four different managers in the last year, namely Jose Mourinho, Daniele De Rossi, Ivan Juric and Ranieri.
This is the latter’s third spell in charge of the I Giallorossi and it’s off to a steady start, with five wins from his first 10 games, compared to Juric who was sacked after winning four out of 12 matches.
The results have moved Roma up to 10th in Serie A, nine points off the European spots, and they’re only two points off directly qualifying for the Europa League last-16.
This article was first published on January 2, 2025.
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