Claudio Ranieri still has little clarity about his future at AS Roma. The successful coach already knows that he will become a "senior advisor" for the club next year. However, the Italian himself is still not entirely sure what to expect from the role.
When Claudio Ranieri was brought out of retirement in November to take charge of AS Roma for the third time, few could have predicted the remarkable turnaround he would orchestrate.
The club, struggling to find rhythm and identity under Daniele De Rossi and Ivan Juric, had slipped to a disheartening twelfth place in Serie A. With fan frustration mounting and European qualification looking like a distant dream, the return of Ranieri a beloved figure in Roman football felt like a desperate but hopeful move.
At the time of his appointment, the gap to sixth place, the minimum target for European football, was a daunting eleven points. Confidence in the squad was low, the atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico was tense, and the press was relentless in its criticism. But Ranieri, calm, experienced, and deeply connected to the club’s DNA, quickly restored belief and unity.
What followed was nothing short of a revival. Under his leadership, AS Roma began to climb the table with impressive consistency. Players who had looked lost under previous managers began to flourish again. Veterans rediscovered their rhythm, while younger players were given renewed purpose. Ranieri’s pragmatic but flexible tactical approach gave the team a solid foundation, and his emotional connection to the club resonated throughout the dressing room and into the stands.
Today, Roma sits sixth in Serie A within touching distance of Champions League qualification. The gap to fourth place is just two points, and optimism has returned to the club. Supporters who once feared another year of mediocrity now dare to dream of returning to Europe’s top competition. The transformation has been so profound that many fans have begun to call for Ranieri to stay on beyond the end of the season.
But the man himself has other plans. Ranieri, who turns 74 later this year, has been unequivocal in his statements: this season will be his last on the sidelines. "I don't like these comparisons, because those who came before me also tried their best," he said graciously while accepting the Inside the Sport Award. The comment was in reference to his significantly higher points-per-game average compared to De Rossi and Juric but as always, Ranieri chose humility over boasting.
He then reflected on how he ended up back at Roma in the first place. “I had said with all my heart at Cagliari that I was done with coaching. Everyone believed me even my wife until Roma called. Honestly, I was hoping that neither Cagliari nor Roma would call, because I knew I wouldn't be able to say no.”
For Ranieri, both clubs hold a unique and emotional place in his heart. It was at Cagliari, over three decades ago, that he first made a name for himself as a manager, guiding the Sardinian club from Serie C all the way to Serie A. And Roma, his hometown team, is woven into his identity a club where he played, where he coached before, and where he’s always been welcomed as one of their own.
“I only said yes to one more year as coach,” he continued. “It’s time for the younger generation to step up, because my time is over. Football is my life, but there comes a moment when you have to say: enough is enough.”
Despite stepping away from the touchline, Ranieri will not disappear from the football world or from Roma. He will remain at the club in a new role as senior advisor, though he admits with a smile that he’s still unsure what exactly that entails. “After this, I’ll become a senior advisor at AS Roma although I honestly have no idea what that even means,” he said with characteristic humor.
Still, his ongoing presence will be a major asset for the club. With decades of experience at the highest levels of football including iconic spells at clubs like Chelsea, Juventus, Valencia, Leicester City, and others Ranieri brings invaluable insight into team-building, leadership, and long-term development. Whether mentoring young coaches, advising management on transfers, or helping shape club culture, his input will likely be welcomed and respected.
Ranieri’s impending departure from coaching also serves as a moment for reflection on his remarkable career. Known for his gentlemanly demeanor, tactical flexibility, and the fairytale title win with Leicester City in 2016, he has become one of football’s most respected and admired figures. While his time on the bench may be drawing to a close, his legacy is cemented not just in England, but in Italy and across Europe.
As the current season nears its conclusion, Roma finds itself at a crossroads. A place in next year’s Champions League would be a fitting farewell gift for a man who gave everything in one final run. But regardless of whether they qualify, the Ranieri effect has already left a lasting impression.
In a footballing world often dominated by ego, volatility, and short-term thinking, Claudio Ranieri stands out as a symbol of grace, dedication, and love for the game. And for AS Roma, his journey may be entering a new phase but the bond between club and coach has never been stronger.
