What you did not know about Claudio Ranieri -AS Roma’s chosen one

Claudio Ranieri was on Friday named the new manager of AS Roma, a month after he was axed from English Premier League side Fulham.

The 67-year-old finalised a deal after arriving in the Italian capital on Friday.

But who is Ranieri and what does he mean to the Serie A topflight.

Ranieri managed Roma between 2009 and 2011, leading them to a second-place finish in Serie A and the Coppa Italia final in 2010.

The club’s president James Pallotta believes that Ranieri can stire change and place Roma a top serie A by the end of the season.

“We are delighted to welcome Claudio Ranieri back to the club. We have one objective remaining this season and that is to finish in the highest possible league position and secure qualification for the Champions League.” said Pallota.

According to him, Ranieri knows the club well to the extend of speaking its language, which can motivate players.

“At this stage of the campaign, it was important to bring in a coach who knows the club, understands the environment, can speak the language and is able to motivate the players. Claudio ticks all of those boxes and he’s very excited to take on this challenge,” he said.

Asked how he took the offer, Ranieri said it was impossible to turn down an offer from Roma.

“I’m delighted to be coming back home. When Roma call you, it’s impossible to say ‘no’,” he said.

Roma are fifth in the Serie A, three points outside the top four which would ensure qualification for Europe’s top-tier competition.

Ranieri’s predecessor Eusebio Di Francesco was sacked on Thursday, after being knocked out of the Champions League in extra-time on Wednesday night, following a3-1 defeat at Porto.

Ranieri is set to take on Empoli on Monday, which will be his first home game of the season.

Will the Italian prove to Pallotas that he truly is the chosen one?