AS Roma: Claudio Ranieri is already imposing his law

This Friday, Claudio Ranieri was presented to the Italian press. Finally, present is a big word since journalists and supporters already know the new AS Roma coach perfectly. After playing there (1973-1974), Ranieri also managed La Louve between 2009 and 20111, then in 2019. The native of Rome will therefore sit for a third time on the Giallorossi bench. It was he who was chosen by the Roman management to take over from Ivan Juric, who had already replaced Daniele De Rossi a few weeks ago. At a press conference, Florent Ghisolfi, the club’s sporting director, explained this decision.

Ranieri decides

“This choice of Ranieri was very important and was made with the entire Friedkin family. There is no need to introduce Mr Ranieri. The Romans need experience and to return to their roots. The coach knows the team. He is the right person for this project. It will not only be the coach who will speak, but the future management of Roma within the framework of the project desired by the Friedkins. For his part, Ranieri confided that his love for the Giallorosso club was the only element that brought him out of retirement. “I had stopped coaching. I have had more requests in recent months than during my victory with Leicester (In the Premier League in 2016). I always said no. I said to someone: ‘I can only come back in two cases: either for Rome or for Cagliari’. » Determined to help a team adrift in Serie A (12th in the ranking, twelve points from the qualifying places for C1), the former coach of FC Nantes is ready to roll up his sleeves. But be careful, it will be in its own way.

“You know, I say things to their faces and everything I think to the owners, I said it. Their reaction surprised me, the owners care about this team. Friedkin knows he’s spending a lot of money and hasn’t been able to do what he wanted. (…) I spoke to the president and asked him what was going on, telling him clearly that I chose who I wanted to play on the field. I do what I want. This has already happened to me. I went home because I played a player that the owners didn’t want me to play. I choose who can make me win, just like Hummels. I went to watch all his matches again. He still has a few years left in him, but why shouldn’t he be able to play? »

Rewards for its players

Still on the subject of individual cases, Ranieri also took stock of the much-criticized full-back Angeliño who played in central defense and the cohabitation between Paulo Dybala and Matias Soulé. While reaffirming… that he is the boss. “Will Angeliño still play in a three-man defense? I promise you we won’t see him there again (laughs). Soulé and Dybala can play together, but the team is about balance. I will do what I want to do. The important thing is the locker room, not the management. The fewer people I see, the better. Unfortunately, in Italy the president must be present. All foreign owners speak very little. The Friedkin family understood that a figure like mine was important anyway. » As for the season’s objectives, Ranieri was logically cautious, avoiding talking about rankings. Barely arrived, the Italian technician made it known that he would first learn to understand his team to find out which tactical plan would suit them best. And players who satisfy him will be entitled to small bonuses.

“The goal will be to try to do my best. I also planned personal rewards for achieving the goals. It makes sense that I put accomplishment in goals. I also did it with Leicester and won the championship. I am always positive, until the end. » Finally, the new strong man did not escape the traditional questions about the transfer window. Will Ranieri ask for reinforcements? After spending around €92 million during the previous transfer window, will AS Roma still take out its checkbook? “The transfer window? No, I want to know the available players first. The club has taken a lot of good young players, but they have to be placed in a solid context and so far this has not been done. I want to evaluate the good players I have and then if there is an opportunity to take someone in January to help us, I’m sure it will be done. » The message got through.