Ex Chelsea, Fulham and Watford boss set for 'emotional' management return months after retirement

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Claudio Ranieri announced his retirement from management this year but is set for a immediate return in the Serie A.

Former Chelsea, Fulham and Watford manager Claudio Ranieri is 'in talks over making an emotional return' to management with former club AS Roma in Italy at the age of 73 years old.

The coach, who famously won the Premier League with Leicester City in 2016, announced his retirement from management at the end of last season having succeeded in guiding Cagliari to safety in Serie A. Ranieri was with the outfit from January 2023 having previously managed Cagliari between 1988 and 1991.

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The Athletic now reports that the Italian has entered talks over a potential return to his hometown club of AS Roma. Ranieri was previously in charge of the Serie A giants between 2009 and 2011 as well as in 2019. This would be his third spell as manager for the club where he made his professional debut as a player.

Roma sit 12th in the Serie A table this season despite splurging £83 million during the summer transfer window. Club legend Daniele De Rossi was sacked from his position in September after a slow start to the campaign and his successor, Ivan Juric, lasted just 12 matches.

Claudio Ranieri won the Premier League with Leicester City.Claudio Ranieri won the Premier League with Leicester City.
Claudio Ranieri won the Premier League with Leicester City. | Getty Images

The club is now on the lookout for another coach with Chelsea legend Frank Lamaprd recently linked with the opportunity, having been outspoken in his eagerness to return to management. However, the former midfielder looks more likely to be headed to Coventry City in the Championship.

It is thought that the appointment of Ranieri would please Roma supporters, who have not held back in protesting against the club's owners The Friedkin Group, after they sacked the much-loved De Rossi earlier this year.

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The former Chelsea, Fulham and Watford manager returned to the club in 2022 to watch the Europa Conference League semi-final between Roma and Leicester City, and was given a standing ovation by both sets of supporters.

Ranieri's first job in the UK came at Stamford Bridge in 2000 and he spent four years with the Blues and is perhaps best known for signing key stars John Terry, William Gallas, Frank Lampard and more. His time at Fulham and Watford were more brief stints, coming in 2018 and 2021, but both lasted just a few months.

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