ROME – Like a mocking goal conceded in the last second of injury time: Claudio Ranieri said no to the national team, when it seemed all done. The FIGC finds itself without a coach just when the circle seemed closed around the name of the Roman coach, 73 years old, who had given clear signals of openness to the role and shown enthusiasm for what could be the last great adventure of his career.
Gabriele Gravina, the federal president, had acted with speed and discretion. First the call to Dan Friedkin, owner of Roma, to gauge the availability of the Giallorossi club for a possible double role. No obstacles from Trigoria, on the contrary: the openness had been total. Then the direct contact with Ranieri, defined by those in the dossier as "enthusiastic and available". The coach had also asked for an operational memorandum on the joint management of Roma-National team. Everything suggested the official announcement, the passing of the baton after the exit of Luciano Spalletti.
And instead, like a cold shower in the night, the step back came. "No thanks, I don't feel like it," he said Ranieri in Gravina. A personal decision, matured in silence and communicated at the last moment. No return to the blue, no farewell to the Roma project, which he continues to embrace with dedication.
Now we start again. The first name that comes back into the spotlight is Stefano Pioli, who already has a verbal agreement with Fiorentina but could consider the Azzurri, while waiting to free himself from Al-Nassr. In the background remain the profiles of Daniele De Rossi, Fabio Cannavaro and Gennaro Gattuso: three world champions with Azzurri in their blood, who today are candidates for a mission that goes beyond the role of coach.
Article published by Vincenzo Scarpa on June 10, 2025, at 14:15 PM
Vincenzo Scarpa, Journalist for Cronache della Campania and
Political Science student at the University of Naples Federico II.
Passionate about all types of sports, he loves to write and talk mainly about football.
Comments (1)
It's a bit strange that Ranieri said no, especially after everything seemed resolved. The FIGC must now look for a new coach in a difficult moment. I hope they find someone valid for the national team.