Serie A Claudio Ranieri Returns from Retirement to Coach AS Roma

Claudio Ranieri stepped in to manage his hometown club Roma on Thursday, coming out of retirement to become their third coach this season. Roma confirmed that Ranieri, who famously won the Premier League with Leicester City in 2016, signed on to lead the Serie A team until the season’s end.

Following this period, the 73-year-old will take on a senior executive role, advising the club’s ownership on sporting matters. Roma added that Ranieri would also participate in the search for a long-term coach over the coming months.

Ranieri accepted the role after negotiations in London on Wednesday. Upon his return, fans enthusiastically greeted him at Rome’s Fiumicino airport.

He replaces Ivan Juric, who had been appointed in September after former club captain Daniele De Rossi was let go but was dismissed after a 3-2 home loss to Bologna on Sunday. Juric’s brief tenure saw only four wins in 12 matches across all competitions, leaving Roma 12th in Serie A and four points above the relegation zone.

Ranieri had previously announced his retirement from club management after guiding Cagliari to safety last season, expressing interest in a national team role. However, he agreed to return to help Roma navigate through their current struggles.

This will be Ranieri’s second time stepping in to stabilize Roma during a crisis. He last managed them in 2019 after Eusebio Di Francesco’s departure, helping secure Europa League qualification. However, Ranieri is most fondly remembered by Roma fans for his initial tenure, which began in 2009 when he replaced Luciano Spalletti and led Roma in a thrilling title race against Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan that lasted until the season’s final day.

Ranieri’s challenging schedule begins with an away match at Napoli following the international break, followed by a clash against Tottenham in London and a home game with Atalanta.