Claudio Ranieri completes fairytale return to former club aged 73 - just six months after Leicester's title-winning boss called time on managerial career
- The Italian took the Foxes to a remarkable Premier League title but left in 2017
- He retired in May after keeping Cagliari up but he has now returned to Roma
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Claudio Ranieri has made an emotional comeback to management, taking over as head coach of his former club Roma aged 73.
The Italian took Leicester to the unlikeliest of Premier League titles in 2016 after assuming the hot seat at the relegation-threatened side at the start of the season.
He left the Foxes a year later and, after spells at Nantes, Fulham, Roma, Sampdoria and Watford, the 73-year-old confirmed his retirement at the end of last season after leading Cagliari to safety in Serie A.
Ranieri had taken the club to back-to-back promotions at the start of his career, before returning in 2023 and overseeing their return to Italy's top flight.
Now he has headed back to Roma, who he has coached twice before, to have another crack at management, becoming the team's third boss already this season.
The club confirmed the move on their official X account on Thursday, saying: 'Claudio Ranieri is the new Head Coach of the First Team. Welcome home, coach!'
Claudio Ranieri has completed a move to become manager of Roma for the third time
The coach is best remembered for overseeing Leicester's fairytale Premier League title win
Roma announced the return of their old boss on their official X account on Thursday
The Italian is expected to become caretaker manager of the side until the end of the season, with the club currently 12th in Serie A despite spending over €100m (£83m) in the summer transfer window.
Club legend Daniele De Rossi was sacked as Roma boss in September after a slow start to the campaign.
His successor Ivan Juric took charge of just 12 matches, with a 3-2 defeat by Bologna at the Stadio Olimpico proving his final game in charge.
Juric departed with a record of four wins, three draws and five defeats, with Roma having gone three games without a win.
A move to appoint Ranieri in a caretaker role has been viewed as a way to placate Roma supporters, who have protested against the club's owners The Friedkin Group for their decision to sack De Rossi.
Ranieri's first spell in charge of Roma saw the Italian nearly lead the club to the Serie A title.
The side finished second under his management in the 2009-10 season, ending two points behind Inter Milan.
Inter, led by Jose Mourinho, also beat Ranieri's side in the Coppa Italia final on route to completing a Treble.
Ranieri had retired at the end of last season after leading Cagliari to safety in Serie A
Ranieri remains a much loved figure at Roma and was given a standing ovation back in 2022
Roma fans have protested against the club's owners for sacking Daniele de Rossi in September
Ranieri managed a number of sides after Leicester, including an unsuccessful stint at Fulham
The Italian first became a household name in Britain during a four-year spell at Chelsea
Ranieri returned to Roma in 2019 to take temporary charge until the end of the season, with the club ultimately missing out on Champions League football after finishing sixth.
The veteran boss was given a memorable reception in 2022 when he attended the Europa Conference League semi-final between Roma and Leicester.
He was given a standing ovation by both sets of supporters in recognition of his role at both clubs.
Ranieri is best remembered for his spell at Leicester between 2015 and 2017 - where he famously helped the club win the Premier League title in 2016.
The Italian has had a staggering 23 managerial appointments during his career.
His career has taken in several of Europe's biggest clubs including Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Napoli.
