Ranieri rejects offer to become Italy coach

Claudio Ranieri has rejected an offer from the FIGC to become the Italy national team coach as he wasn’t convinced about taking on a double role as Azzurri CT and advisor to Roma owners.

Ranieri won’t be the new Italy head coach, replacing Luciano Spalletti.

FIGC President Grabriele Gravina had been in talks with the 73-year-old who became an advisor to Roma owner Dan Friedkin after a six-month spell as the Giallorossi boss.

Why Ranieri snubbed Italy offer

The Italian Federation was open to letting Ranieri take on his Roma role, but sources with direct knowledge of the matter tell me that the 73-year-old wasn’t convinced about covering a double role for club and country.

Dan Friedkin had given the green light to Ranieri and FIGC, but the ex-Leicester City boss decided otherwise.

Italy’s primary option after Ranieri refusal

Probably, Ranieri thought he would not have had enough time to develop the Roma project while being the national team coach.

This means the FIGC remain on the lookout for a replacement for Luciano Spalletti.

Stefano Pioli is a strong candidate, despite having already held talks with Fiorentina.

What Spalletti said about Italy exit

“It’s true, we struggled tonight too. However, there are too many components behind this. And we confirmed what we’d seen before,” Spalletti told RAI Sport after a 2-0 win over Moldova.

“I maintained this group, but I found them really fatigued at this stage of the season. Perhaps seeking someone in better physical shape might’ve helped, but the fact we have 25 players all a bit like this means the campaign really took it out on everyone.

“One of the biggest problems was playing the very first game, the most difficult of the group in Oslo, right at the end of the season. It’s bad luck with the draw.

“This will be a very different team in much better shape come September, so the timing didn’t help us.”