Claudio Ranieri will step down as Cagliari head coach after securing the side’s status in Serie A.
The 72-year-old was appointed at the Sardinian club in December 2022 and oversaw the club’s promotion to the top-flight of Italian football six months later, winning the Serie B promotion play-off final against Bari.
Cagliari’s survival in Serie A this campaign was secured with Sunday’s two-goal victory at Sassuolo — a result that confirmed the relegation of the home side — ahead of Ranieri’s side’s final match of the season, at home to Fiorentina on Thursday.
Ranieri returned to Cagliari 17 months ago for a second stint at the club after more than 30 years coaching elsewhere in Italy, England, France and Spain.
His contract with the club had been due to run until June 2025, but both parties confirmed on Tuesday the final year would not be fulfilled.
𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗨𝗗𝗜𝗢 𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗘𝗥𝗜 👑
📹 Guarda il video completo ➡️ https://t.co/PeZuKe6VY7 pic.twitter.com/T9VhXZ7IDG
— Cagliari Calcio (@CagliariCalcio) May 21, 2024
Ranieri is one of the most decorated head coaches in football, with his second stint at Cagliari — whom he previously coached between 1988 and 1991, guiding them from the third-tier to Serie A — the 23rd coaching role of his career.
“I have decided to leave now and it is the right time. I do so reluctantly, because it was a hard and painful decision, but I think it’s right,” Ranieri said.
“I prefer to leave like this and not next year when maybe things aren’t going well. You know how afraid I was of returning to Cagliari, so as not to tarnish the first three years that had filled my heart.”
A lengthy statement from Cagliari confirmed Ranieri’s exit, titled ‘Forever Grateful, Mister!’, saying that it represented the “closing of a full circle.”
Cagliari’s statement read: “It has been like watching an Oscar-winning film that wins you over with their perfect screenplay. One of those that makes you laugh, but also moves you and makes you feel emotional.
“These are tears of joy and gratitude for the man who was able to write some of the most beautiful scripts in Cagliari’s history. What he did will remain in the hearts of every supporter.”
L’hai fatto ancora, Mister 🥹👑 pic.twitter.com/L9NeSS1uy2
— Cagliari Calcio (@CagliariCalcio) May 19, 2024
Ranieri is most well-known for leading Leicester City to their against-the-odds Premier League title in the 2015-16 season, while he also won the Coppa Italia, Copa del Rey and UEFA Super Cup during his time in management.
The Italian’s distinguished coaching career encompassed spells at Napoli, Fiorentina, Atletico Madrid, Valencia, Chelsea, Parma, Juventus, Roma, Inter, Monaco, the Greek national team, Sampdoria and Watford, among others.
Salernitana and Sassuolo have been relegated from Serie A this season, with Empoli (33 points), Udinese (34) and Frosinone (35) all battling to avoid demotion ahead of the final matchday.
(Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
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