Ranieri: ‘I don’t know’ Ten Hag but Roma ‘close’ to picking new coach | OneFootball

Claudio Ranieri says Roma owners are ‘very close’ to picking a new Roma coach, but insists he’s never met Erik ten Hag: ‘I don’t know him.’

Claudio Ranieri suggests that Roma will soon hire a new coach for the 2025-26 campaign.

During his latest interview with Il Messaggero, the Roma boss said, “Ghisolfi and I have followed the English model. We started with seven or eight candidates and reduced the list to three or four.”

So, how close are Roma owners to picking a new coach?

“Close, really close,” Ranieri replied, via TMW.

“I am convinced a good coach will arrive,” continued the Italian tactician.

LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 27: Erik ten Hag, Manager of Manchester United, looks on as players of Manchester United warm up prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Manchester United FC at London Stadium on October 27, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)

Former Manchester United boss Ten Hag was spotted at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday to watch Roma-Juventus. The Dutchman’s agents already denied contacts with Roma, and Ranieri confirmed he had never met the ex-Red Devil.

“Do you believe that I don’t know him? I’ve never met him. I’ve read that I had dinner with him, but, believe me, I’ve never met him.”

Ranieri returned to Roma for his third stint at the Stadio Olimpico in November to replace Ivan Juric.

His contract expires at the end of the season, but he’ll become an advisor to the owners at the end of the campaign, after contributing to identifying his successor.