Claudio Ranieri turns down Italian national team job
Claudio Ranieri has turned down the opportunity to succeed Luciano Spalletti as Italy head coach.
Spalletti said on Sunday he had been sacked as head coach ahead of the 2026 World Cup, after a 3-0 defeat to Norway on Friday — their first qualification match for the tournament.
The 66-year-old had replaced Roberto Mancini in August 2023, but had a turbulent rein with a disappointing Euro 2024 campaign ending with a last-16 defeat to Switzerland.
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Spalletti, who won Napoli's first league title in 33 years in 2022-23, oversaw 11 wins in his 23 matches in charge of the national team.
Ranieri was offered the chance to take on the role, which would have been a 25th job of his career, but is instead set to stay at Roma in an executive position above new coach Gian Piero Gasperini after a successful temporary period in charge of the team.
Ranieri was appointed in November with the club 16th in Serie A but helped them finish one point from Champions League qualification in fifth.
'I'd like to thank president (Gabriele) Gravina for the opportunity, a great honour, but I have reflected and decided to remain at Roma's disposal in my new position completely,' Ranieri said in a statement to Italian news agency ANSA.
'The Friedkins have given me their full support and backing for whatever decision I have taken regarding the national team, but the decision is mine alone.'
The 73-year-old previously stepped down as Cagliari head coach in May 2024 after winning promotion from Serie B in 2023 and securing their top-flight status the following season.
The Italian 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.
Ranieri'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.
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