Claudio Ranieri ‘in talks over emotional return to former club at 73’ – just six months after Leicester’s title winning boss retired from management

Former Leicester City and Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri is reportedly in talks over making an emotional return to management at Roma.

The 73-year-old confirmed his retirement from management at the end of last season after leading Cagliari to safety in Serie A.

Ranieri had led 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.

According to The Athletic, Raneiri has now entered talks over a potential return to management at his hometown club Roma.

It would be Ranieri’s third spell in charge should a deal be completed, with the expectation he would take caretaker charge until the end of the season.

Ranieri had retired at the end of last season after leading Cagliari to safety in Serie A

The coach is best remembered for overseeing Leicester’s fairytale Premier League title win

Roma are 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 led the club to the Serie A title.

Roma 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.

Roma are looking for a new manager after sacking head coach Ivan Juric after 12 matches

Rome fans have protested against the club’s owners for sacking Daniele de Rossi in September

Ranieri remains a much loved figure at Roma and was given a standing ovation back  in 2022

Ranieri was overcome was emotion over his reception during Roma’s match against Leicester

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.