Claudio Ranieri’s first press conference following Roma return: “Fate wanted me here.” | OneFootball

Claudio Ranieri held today his first press conference following his return to Roma as head coach earlier in the week.

The veteran technician reintroduced himself to the media at Trigoria today to discuss the challenge that awaits him as Roma currently sit in twelfth place in Serie A.

“I had stopped coaching. I have had more requests now than when I won the Premier League with Leicester, but I always said no. Fate wanted me to return home.”

“You know I always speak what’s on my mind and I told Friedkin what I thought. He told me that he cares about Roma and he can’t think of “Roma Caput Mundi” in this situation, that’s why he asked me in and I said yes.”

“I told Friedkin my criticisms, but he left me speechless because he was sorry to see Roma in this situation. The way Dan Friedkin looked and sounded when describing the current situation really left me speechless. He cares a lot about this club.”

“He brought me back to the club I love and for that I thank him for that. I will do everything to do my job as best as possible.”

“I told Dan Friedkin he spent a lot of money in these few years. Maybe he hired the wrong people?”

“We see things in a pyramidal way, the Friedkins in a collegial way. All together we will try to bring Roma back to the levels that the fans dream of. I told Dan to talk to the people, but for now he is shocked.”

“I wouldn’t be honest in saying how I will play, I have to see who is doing well and then I will choose whether to play with three, four or five at the back.”

“I promise that Angelino will no longer play as a centre-back. I think Dybala and Soulé can play together, but I can’t promise that.”

“It’s not a question of modules and tactics, but of players who want to spit blood on the pitch and who don’t give up an inch.”

“In Rome, players can’t give 80%, or they give 100%, one way or another, or they go off the pitch. Players who have been criticized always gave their all. Don’t boo us during the game, stay close to us.”

“I want a united, cohesive team and audience. I don’t have time to make mistakes. I promise the people that they will leave the stadium proud of the team.”

“The goal is to do my best, in my contract I have bonuses for all the goals that we can achieve.”

“My role as senior executive? I will be the Friedkins’ right-hand man.”

“Dan Friedkin knows that Roma have incredible footballing potential. This ownership is doing beautiful things, I hardly recognized Trigoria.”

“With DeRossi we have spoken and I will do so in the next few days. I hope to bring everyone back in the right direction.”

“For me, only the locker room is important. I told Dan Friedkin that there must be a president in Italy, but all the foreign owners say little. In Italy the president is very important. Dan has realized his mistakes. That’s why he called me.”

“I asked the team to give their all. They must come to Trigoria with a smile, because we are lucky to do a job that we have chosen. They must be ambitious, always.”

“Dybala? There was a president who didn’t want me to play a player: I let him play, and then I left. I told this episode to Dan Friedkin. I don’t care about any clauses in Dybala’s contract. I will decide, I’ll do what I want.”

“I would have Dybala play every single game but we must take into account his condition.”

“Ghisolfi called me on Monday morning and came to my house, we discussed this opportunity and then we went to London. We want to do our best for Roma.”

“Hummels? Why shouldn’t he play? Of course, he’ll play. Sure, he’s not young anymore but I want to win. I always choose the strongest, most in-form players.”

“I went back and watched some of Hummels’ best games. I asked myself why is he not playing.”

“De Rossi back? For now I will focus on coaching, and then we’ll see. We haven’t talked about it with the Friedkins.”