Ranieri reveals when he ‘became friends’ with Mourinho | OneFootball

In his latest interview with Corriere della Sera, Claudio Ranieri reveals he suddenly became friends with José Mourinho when Inter appointed him and after the Portuguese had taunted him for many years.

The Italian tactician refused to discuss his possible return to Roma but gladly spoke about his career and even bad memories like the 2009-10 season, when his Roma side lost the title to José Mourinho’s Inter, primarily due to a home defeat against Sampdoria in Round 34.

“At some point, we could have made it, but nobody remembers that I arrived at the club in the middle of the season and that we earned more points than Inter [during his tenure],” he said.

Ranieri reveals when he ‘became friends’ with Mourinho

CAGLIARI, ITALY – APRIL 19: Claudio Ranieri coach of Caglairi reacts during the Serie A TIM match between Cagliari and Juventus at Sardegna Arena on April 19, 2024 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)

“We were the table leaders but lost 2-1 at home against Sampdoria. A game that we should have won 3-0. This is football. I have a heart full of the joy of being a Romanista.”

Ranieri’s relationship with his counterpart Mourinho was initially troubled, but it has recently changed, and the Italian tactician is glad about it.

“He used to say I was old and didn’t speak English. Aside from English, I also speak French and Spanish, two languages of countries where I’ve coached,” Ranieri said.

“But when I went to Inter, we became friends. I don’t know why. Perhaps he was told about who I was and how I coached. When Leicester City sacked me, he was at Manchester United and arrived at a press conference wearing a shirt displaying the initials ‘CR’.”