Claudio Ranieri, the iconic manager who led Leicester City to an unexpected Premier League title in 2016, has announced his retirement from football at the age of 72. Ranieri’s final match as a manager saw Cagliari fall 3-2 to Fiorentina at home on Thursday. The Sardegna Arena crowd honored him with a rousing ovation, and his players formed a guard of honour.
“There is a beginning and an end to everything. It is only fair: to close the circle in this way, where I had started, is something I dreamed of and the dream was wonderful,” Ranieri reflected. His managerial career began with Cagliari in 1988.
Ranieri’s extensive career includes managing top Serie A teams such as Juventus, Roma, and Inter Milan. He is best known for his extraordinary achievement with Leicester City, guiding the underdogs to a historic Premier League victory. His managerial journey also took him to Chelsea, Fulham, and Watford in the Premier League, as well as Valencia and Atletico Madrid in Spain’s LaLiga.
“Luck does not fall on you, it has to be sought. I was a lucky man: I wanted to be a footballer, I managed to do it. Then when I was 30 I tried to understand if I understood soccer, I tried and I succeeded,” Ranieri stated. “As a player I was not a great champion, but as a coach I had a lot of fun. For me it was an honour to be in the world of soccer.”
Cagliari president Tommaso Giulini lauded Ranieri’s influence, saying, “I don’t want to talk about what the coach did in Cagliari. You all know that. I would like to focus on what he leaves us with: grace, loyalty, determination and courage, the most beautiful values of sports. Thank you, Claudio!”
Ranieri’s retirement marks the end of a remarkable chapter in football history.
