Premier League winner to end ‘Oscar-winning story’ as Cagliari manager, could retire

Former Premier League winner Claudio Ranieri has announced he is “reluctantly” stepping down as Cagliari manager at the end of the season in a move which could end the 72-year-old’s five-decade coaching career.

Having confirmed Cagliari’s Serie A safety with a 2-0 win at Sassuolo on Sunday, Italian Ranieri will lead the club for the final time in their closing match of the campaign at home to Fiorentina on Thursday.

“You have been my refuge for years,” Ranieri said of the club where he first took charge as a 37-year-old in 1988, guiding Cagliari from the third division to the top flight.

“I am leaving reluctantly but it is right to do so now. It was a hard and painful decision. I hope I have represented Sardinia at its best. I’m leaving after a promotion and salvation. I prefer to leave like this; I don’t want to tarnish these years.”

Check out our other stories: 
Klopp reflects on Liverpool
Pochettino leaves Chelsea
Southgate on England squad

After leaving Watford in 2022, Ranieri returned to Cagliari at the start of 2023 and steered them back to Serie A via the play-offs last season.

“In his two spells with the club, he always managed to lead the team to achieve their original objective,” said a club statement. “Already the mastermind behind two successive promotions in the past and survival in the top flight, in the last year-and-a-half he has put together yet another masterpiece.

L’hai fatto ancora, Mister 🥹👑 pic.twitter.com/L9NeSS1uy2

— Cagliari Calcio (@CagliariCalcio) May 19, 2024

“It is the closure of a full circle. Staying up in Serie A, exactly like it was 31 years ago, again in Emilia-Romagna, one game before the end of the season.

“It’s like we’ve been watching a movie – an Oscar-winning one, one that wins you over with its 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…

Source link : https://www.101greatgoals.com/news/claudio-ranieri-cagliari-manager-premier-league/

Author : Ben Miller

Publish date : 2024-05-21 21:17:17

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.