Claudio Ranieri feels the love on Roma return but faces daunting debut at Napoli - 'Fate wanted me to come home'
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/05/02/image-dfe2a7b1-16b3-40a7-aa20-5e002e65941a-68-310-310.jpeg)
Published 19/11/2024 at 10:02 GMT
Claudio Ranieri came out of retirement to be appointed AS Roma head coach for a third time last week. News of the 73-year-old's return has been greeted with delirium in Rome, where murals have been painted of him and banners put up welcoming their "eternal leader." However, he faces an enormous task in transforming the Lupi's flagging form ahead of his third 'debut' against Napoli on Sunday.
‘Chaos’ at Roma – what is going on at the Giallorossi after yet another game without victory?
Video credit: TNT Sports
So much for a quiet retirement.
When Claudio Ranieri was hoisted into the sun-sparkled sky by his admiring Cagliari players at the end of last season, it looked like the perfect end to a remarkable coaching career.
Ranieri was to end his story where it started, by leading Cagliari to Serie A survival 36 years after first joining the club where he made his name. At least so he thought.
On Friday, the 73-year-old was chaperoned through a hundreds-strong crowd of flag-waving Roma fans at Fiumicino airport - among them world No. 32 tennis player Flavio Cobolli - desperate for one of their own to stabilise a nose-diving season.
In the space of three months, Roma have sacked Daniele De Rossi and Ivan Juric, faced relentless fan protests and picked up just 13 points from 12 games.
The tumultuous context explains why Ranieri has been greeted like a conquering hero as he begins his third spell in the Eternal City; a mural of Ranieri dressed as an ancient Roman senator and cradling a wolf pup even appeared in the Testaccio neighbourhood last week.
Roman newspaper Corriere dello Sport proclaimed his return with the term used when a new pope is elected: “HABEMUS PAPA.” An editorial described him as “the right man in the right place at the right time.”
Banners from fan groups underlined the support of the people: “Our shirt is your great pride, welcome back,” read one, while another said; “Yet again you did not hold back. Ranieri eternal leader.”
Ranieri’s third spell as Roma coach, after leading his boyhood club from 2009-2011 and to the end of the season in 2019, could well be his toughest yet. But he could not resist the emotional draw.
“In the last few months since I retired from coaching, I’ve received more offers than when I won the league with Leicester,” Ranieri said at his unveiling.
“I told someone: ‘There are only two cases in which I can return to coaching - for Roma or for Cagliari’. Fate wanted me to come back home.”
Ranieri wants players to ‘spit blood’
Ranieri is loved more for his personality and dyed-in-the-wool Romanismo - his attachment to and passion for the club - than for any glittering achievements in his previous spells.
The architect of Leicester City’s astonishing Premier League triumph of 2015/16 did not lead the Giallorossi to any silverware in his 96 previous matches at the helm.
- Crisis-ridden Roma consider options as chaotic Juric reign ends
- Why are Roma fans boycotting matches? Why are fans upset with owner Friedkin?
He came close in his debut campaign of 2009/10, finishing second by two points to Jose Mourinho’s Internazionale in Serie A, before losing the Coppa Italia final to the Treble-winning Nerazzurri too.
That was as good as things got, and the mission awaiting him in 2024/25 is likely to be more similar to the one he faced in 2019, when he was tasked with restoring stability after succeeding Eusebio Di Francesco, eventually finishing sixth despite ending the season on a nine-game unbeaten run.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/10/27/4056420-82266048-2560-1440.jpg)
Highlights: Kean at the double as Fiorentina thump 10-man Roma
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ranieri again has until the end of the season this time around, but now with the prospect of a move into a directorial position and a say on his eventual successor in June.
The coach's in-tray is bulging with problems to address. Roma have picked up just 13 points from 12 league games so far, leaving them 12th in the standings and 11 points behind a breakaway top six.
Roma have not graced the UEFA Champions League since 2018/19 and their hopes of qualifying this season already look distant unless Ranieri can transform their meek performances.
Fan protests have become a regular feature at the Stadio Olimpico, be it with empty sections, silent periods or fans booing their own players. There is a perception that this squad lacks mental fortitude, and Ranieri is more than aware of it.
- McTominay has no 'regrets' over Man Utd summer exit, now playing with 'Maradona in head and heart'
- 'This fuels conspiracy theories' - Conte fumes at VAR protocol after Napoli draw with Inter
“I want players who will spit blood on the pitch and won’t surrender an inch even if things are going badly,” he said.
“I’m a fan first, a coach second. And fans love those who always give everything they have got.”
Things must improve at both ends of the pitch, as Roma’s Paulo Dybala-dependent attack has badly lacked creativity, while 11 goals have been conceded in the last four Serie A games alone.
Ranieri will hope to get under-performing players like Lorenzo Pellegrini and Bryan Cristante - who have faced the wrath of their own fans for weeks - back to their best, while finally integrating forgotten man Mats Hummels and getting a tune out of Matias Soule, the exciting Argentinian winger whose summer arrival from Juventus promised much but has thus far delivered very little.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/11/10/4060972-82357088-2560-1440.jpg)
Highlights: Inter come from behind to earn point with Napoli after Calhanoglu screamer
Video credit: TNT Sports
daunting debut in 'derby del sole'
If Ranieri was hoping to be eased into the job, he is out of luck. In fact, he faces the toughest task available in Serie A when he travels to Naples for his third Roma ‘debut’ on Sunday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Napoli are sitting pretty at the top of Serie A with almost a third of the season gone after a bright start under new coach Antonio Conte.
Conte was tasked with putting the Partenopei back on the rails after their title defence ended with an embarrassing 10th-placed finish last season, and his overhaul included the signings of Romelu Lukaku, Alessandro Buongiorno, Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay.
The latter has been a sensation so far, with the Scotland midfielder most recently scoring the opener in a 1-1 draw with Inter at San Siro before the international break to take his season haul to three in all competitions - earning praise from Gazzetta dello Sport for his “grit, goals and leadership.”
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/11/10/4060912-82355888-2560-1440.jpg)
McTominay finds corner with deft finish to give Napoli early lead over Inter
Video credit: TNT Sports
The former Manchester United man has looked an astute signing and Napoli’s form has raised hopes of a Scudetto bid, particularly with no European football to distract them from league duties.
However, there have been some signs of vulnerability lately that could give Ranieri some reason for positivity ahead of the ‘Derby del Sole.’
A run of six wins in a row ended spectacularly in Napoli’s last home game when they were torn apart in a 3-0 defeat to Atalanta, and they were lucky to escape without a second loss in a row last time out when Inter midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu missed a penalty after 17 successful conversions.
Lukaku’s poor form has also been a cause for concern, with the Belgian scoring once in his last five games, but Conte’s side have nevertheless been the team to beat in Italy so far this season.
The bigger the challenge, the bigger the reward for Ranieri, who has a UEFA Europa League trip to Tottenham and a home game against Atalanta on the calendar after the trip south.
Improved performances and attitude from the Roma players will be the base expectation. Should they get anything better, the hype around the returning Roman hero may reach a whole new level.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/11/03/4058430-82306248-2560-1440.jpg)
Highlights: Lookman at the double as Atalanta record big win over Serie A leaders Napoli
Video credit: TNT Sports
How to watch Napoli v Roma live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Napoli v Roma is live on TNT Sports 2 and discovery+ on Sunday, November 24.
Kick-off is at 17:00 UK time from the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples.
The game will be followed by live coverage of Lazio v Bologna on TNT Sports 1, with kick-off at 19:45.
Stream selected matches from the 2024-25 Serie A season live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Thoughts?