Claudio Ranieri Aims for a Grand Exit as Roma Approaches Champions League Qualification

Claudio Ranieri has reiterated that this will be his final season in football management, and at the age of 73, should he honour his commitment, he might leave the game having guided his cherished AS Roma to an unexpected spot in the Champions League.

After successfully steering Cagliari away from relegation at the end of last season, Ranieri announced his retirement from management. However, when Roma, the club where he launched his playing career, came calling, he found it difficult to resist.

“I’ve given my heart and soul to this sport. Football is my passion, but there comes a time when one must say enough is enough,” Ranieri remarked on Monday as he accepted an ‘Inside the Sport’ honour for his illustrious career.

“I genuinely meant it when I said I was done at Cagliari, and everyone believed me, including my wife, until Roma reached out.”

Taking charge in November, Ranieri became Roma’s third manager this season while the team languished in the lower half of the table.

His third term at Roma started with three defeats in four league matches, but since then, his side has been unbeaten, enjoying a remarkable 18-match league run stretching back to December.

Although Ranieri has yet to win a Serie A title, the team’s resurgence under his leadership suggests he could have been in the mix for the Scudetto had he taken over sooner.

Under Ranieri’s guidance, and despite a rocky start, Roma has amassed 47 points, with only one team, Napoli, having earned a single point more during this period.

In 2025, Roma remains undefeated in Serie A, with no other team matching their performance, as the closest contender, Napoli, trails them by seven points.

When Ranieri replaced Ivan Juric, Roma was 12 points adrift of the top four, but now in sixth place, they find themselves a mere two points away from securing a Champions League position.

Given Roma’s current form, it’s conceivable that Ranieri, who famously led Leicester City to a Premier League title, might orchestrate another remarkable achievement before stepping into retirement, at least from the managerial front, as he prepares for a new role within the club.

“I agreed to a year as a coach and then I’ll take on the role of senior advisor. I’m not even sure what that entails,” Ranieri commented.

With just four matches left in the season, Roma will host Fiorentina on Sunday, before concluding their campaign against Atalanta, AC Milan, and Torino.