I got more calls now than when I won the Premier League

Claudio Ranieri's return to Roma marks a surprising yet sentimental moment for the veteran coach, who previously announced his retirement from football after leaving Cagliari at the end of last season.

However, as he explained in his first press conference back at the helm, the call from Roma was too significant to ignore, even for a man who had decided to hang up his coaching boots. Ranieri’s announcement has been met with widespread interest, not least because he revealed he had received more calls from clubs after his retirement than when he achieved the remarkable feat of winning the Premier League with Leicester City in 2016, a victory that is still considered one of football’s greatest underdog stories.

“I had left the coaching scene behind, thinking it was time to step away,” Ranieri stated. “But oddly enough, I received more interest from clubs after retiring than I did after winning the Premier League. I made it clear to everyone that I was done, but there were two exceptions: Cagliari and Roma. It seems fate had its own plan for me. I started my career with Cagliari, and now it feels like I’m completing a full circle by finishing here, at Roma, as both a coach and a director.”

Ranieri took a moment to acknowledge the pivotal role of Roma’s owner, Dan Friedkin, in convincing him to return. The 73-year-old coach was visibly moved as he spoke about Friedkin’s passion for the club and the city. “He left me speechless with the way he spoke about Roma. There was a genuine affection in his words, a deep respect for what this club represents. He admitted that a lot of money has been spent over the years without achieving the desired results. He was honest about the challenges, and that honesty resonated with me. Now, it’s my responsibility to do my part,” Ranieri emphasized, clearly committed to the task ahead.

When asked about his plans for the team’s playing style, Ranieri was cautious, refusing to make any promises about specific tactics or formations. “Football has evolved; there’s no single system that works for every game,” he explained. “I’m not here to impose a rigid formation. It’s not about systems; it’s about understanding the strengths of the players. I want to see them give their all on the pitch, fight for every ball, and never surrender, even when things are tough. I’ve been a fan before I was a coach, and I know what it’s like to watch your team struggle. Once, when I was coaching, we were up 3-0 against Genoa and ended up losing 4-3. I walked into the locker room and simply said, ‘Gentlemen, goodbye.’ That’s football it can be brutal. We need the fans’ support now more than ever because playing at home under a chorus of boos is the hardest thing for a player,” Ranieri remarked, appealing to the supporters for patience and encouragement.

A major topic of interest during the press conference was the potential return of Francesco Totti, the legendary former Roma captain. Totti, who retired from playing in 2017, has recently expressed a desire to return to the club in some capacity, despite being 48 years old. Ranieri was diplomatic when asked about Totti’s potential comeback, neither confirming nor denying the possibility but leaving the door open for future discussions.

“For now, the priority is to get the team back on track,” Ranieri said. “After that, we can have a conversation with Francesco. For heaven’s sake, why wouldn’t I consider it? If he can help us, I won’t close the door on anything. But let me be clear: this doesn’t mean that Totti is definitely coming back. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” he concluded, clearly leaving the option open but managing expectations at the same time.

Ranieri’s appointment comes at a challenging time for Roma, who are currently struggling in Serie A, sitting 13th in the league table after 12 rounds. The season has been tumultuous, with the team already having gone through two managers: Daniele De Rossi, who began the campaign, and Ivan Juric, who followed but failed to turn the tide. Roma’s domestic struggles have been mirrored in Europe, where the team is currently 20th in the Europa League standings, with only five points from four matches, a disappointing return for a club with such high ambitions.

Despite the difficult circumstances, Ranieri remains optimistic about the task ahead. He believes that his experience, combined with his deep connection to Roma, could be the catalyst needed to steer the team back on course. The veteran coach’s reputation as a stabilizer someone who can come into a club during a crisis and bring a sense of calm and organization will be put to the test once again.

Ranieri concluded the press conference by addressing the fans directly: “I know what this club means to you. I know the pain of seeing your team underperform. But I promise you this: I will give everything I have for Roma, just as I always have. Together, we can turn this season around, but it will take patience, hard work, and above all, unity. The road ahead won’t be easy, but if we stand together, we can achieve great things.”

The journey ahead for Ranieri and Roma will not be straightforward, but the coach’s return has already sparked a renewed sense of hope among the supporters. As the club faces critical upcoming fixtures in both Serie A and the Europa League, all eyes will be on Ranieri to see if he can once again work his magic and guide Roma to a successful turnaround in what has already been a tumultuous season.