Former Leicester and Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri ‘close to’ emotional return as Cagliari manager
Former Leicester and Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri is “close” to Cagliari’s emotional return and the Premier League winner faces the 23rd job of his career
- Claudio Ranieri is set to take charge of Cagliari for the second time
- The 71-year-old guided Cagliari to successive promotions in the late 1980s
- Ranieri won the Premier League title with Leicester City in 2016
- The Italy manager has had 22 managerial jobs, including a stint at Chelsea
Claudio Ranieri is reportedly close to taking charge of Cagliari’s side from Serie B, with the Italian in talks of a return to the managerial dugout.
Ranieri has been without a club since being sacked by Watford after just 14 games in January, with the Hornets ultimately suffering relegation from the Premier League.
According to La Gazetta Dello Sport, the 71-year-old has held talks with Cagliari president Tommaso Giulini and sporting director Nereo Bonato.
Claudio Ranieri is set to take charge of Cagliari for the second time in his career
Ranieri has reportedly sought reassurances from the Serie B club before agreeing to take charge for the second time.
The Italian made his name as a manager at Cagliari, leading the club to successive promotions from the third division to Serie A after taking charge in 1988.
Ranieri has hinted at a possible return, with the veteran coach admitting his close ties with the Sardinian side.
“When I’m ready to bench again in 2023?” said Ranieri. “But I’m already ready for 2022, why do we have to wait for the new year?
‘My birth took place there, I will always carry it in my heart.’
Ranieri (left) famously guided Leicester to the Premier League title in 2015/16
Ranieri’s last managerial job was for a brief stint as head of Watford earlier this year
Cagliari announced the sacking of Fabio Liverani earlier this week with the club currently sitting 14th in Serie B after being relegated from the top flight last season.
Ranieri’s last managerial post in Italy was at Sampdoria in Serie A, where he was in charge from 2019 to January 2021.
Should his return to Cagliari be confirmed, Ranieri would take on the 23rd managerial role of his career.
Ranieri is best known for guiding Leicester City to an unlikely Premier League title win in 2016 – one of the most memorable achievements in top-flight history.
His first Premier League job came at Chelsea, where he joined the Blues in 2000 before being replaced by Jose Mourinho four years later.
Ranieri, who has also overseen Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Valencia, Inter Milan and Roma.
