Chelsea is on the lookout for a new manager in the summer after interim manager Guus Hiddink’s term ends and they have been linked with moves for Diego Simeone and Pep Guardiola but according to Italian website Tuttosport, owner Roman Abramovich has another shock target in mind – Claudio Ranieri.
Jose Mourinho was appointed after Chelsea sacked Ranieri in 2004 and now Abramovich wants to sign Ranieri to replace Mourinho!! These are Mourinho’s comments on the Italian:
“He (Ranieri) has lived for five years in England and still has trouble saying good morning and good afternoon,” Mourinho said.“He is almost 70, and he has won a Super Cup and another small cup. He’s too old to change the mentality.”
Ranieri was Chelsea manager for 4 years before he was sacked for the much celebrated Mourinho but the tables have turned now. Ranieri is having a fairytale season with Leicester City, Chelsea is having a nightmare. Leicester City is level on points at the top of the table while Chelsea is in a “relegation battle” according to their manager.
Ranieri has an impressive CV as he has managed some top European clubs like Atletico Madrid, Roma, Monaco , Juventus , Napoli and Inter Milan but his reputation took a blow while he was the manager of the Greece National Team. Ranieri failed to win a game with Greece and was dismissed within months of taking charge.
Ranieri was dismissed a year after Abramovic became the owner of the club but Ranieri’s first stint at Chelsea was pivotal in the Blues’ future league triumphs as John Terry, Frank Lampard, Claude Makelele, and Wayne Bridge were all signed by him.
Chelsea is currently 14th in the Premier League this season and need a new manager who can guides them to the top of the table once again. Ranieri, on the other hand, will be looking to win the title with Leicester- something he couldn’t do at Chelsea.