ZCZC
BSP-23
FBL-SERIEA-ITA-ROMA
Ranieri coy on Roma link
MILAN, Sept 24, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Former Roma coach Claudio Ranieri remained
tight-lipped on Monday amid talk that he could be in line to replace under-
fire Eusebio Di Francesco in the Stadio Olimpico hotseat.
The club’s billionaire American owner James Pallotta said he was
“disgusted” after the Serie A giants plunged to 14th with a 2-0 loss at
Bologna.
The 66-year-old Ranieri led Leicester City to the English Premier League
title in 2016, but has been without a club since leaving French Ligue 1 club
Nantes last May.
“I am a fan, Roma is in my heart, but I hope that Di Francesco can move
forward,” Ranieri told Radio Anch’Io Sport when asked if he would be
interested in a move back to his hometown club.
Former defender Ranieri started his senior football career in Rome in 1973
and later coached the club for two years from 2009, just missing out on the
Serie A title in 2010.
“That Scudetto we lost in the last half-hour of the final day still burns.
I think about it often, although I partly redeemed myself at Leicester,”
recalled the former Chelsea, Napoli and Inter Milan boss who has said he is
keen to continue in management.
Meanwhile, Ranieri believes Roma are paying the price for selling key
players, rather than blaming Di Francesco, 49, who took over in 2017 and led
the team to third last season.
Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson moved to Liverpool during the summer with
Belgian midfielder Radja Nainggolan going to Roma and Dutch midfielder Kevin
Strootman to Marseille.
“Di Francesco is one of the best young coaches we have in Italy, for
reasons of financial fair play the team has been changed, three players who
were the backbone of Rome have been sold,” he said.
“When a coach signs a contract, he’ll know his team’s philosophy.
“Di Francesco knew what he was signing up for.
“Roma have been selling their best players for years, although it’s clear
no-one expected the team to perform like they have.
“The players seem afraid of touching the ball, as if it’s hot.
“The potential is there,” added Ranieri, “but we must find the spark.”
BSS/AFP/BZC/1845HRS