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Claudio Ranieri admits he wants Italy job: Reveals offers from two Premier League clubs
CLAUDIO RANIERI admits he could be tempted by the vacant Italy job after leading Leicester to the Premier League title.
Claudio Ranieri admits he would be tempted by the Italy job after leading Leicester to the title
Ranieri joined the Foxes last summer and guided them to one of the most unlikely successes in sporting history.
Their 5000/1 triumph in the top flight means Ranieri will also take Leicester into the Champions League next season.
But he is open to succeeding Antonio Conte, who will leave Italy to become Chelsea manager after Euro 2016 this summer.
Two other Premier League clubs had contacted me, but then they made other choices
"I'll admit I was curious about coaching a national team, but my experience with Greece [appointed and sacked in 2014] was sufficient,” Ranieri told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Of course, leading Italy would be something else. I'd never rule that out, and I'd like that very much.
"And Leicester, after all, have blue shirts just like the Azzurri.”
Gazzetta dello Sport have an extensive interview with Claudio Ranieri
Andrea Bocelli sings to Leicester City fans at the King Power Stadium
Leicester have lost only three of their league matches this campaign and face last season's champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in their last game this Sunday.
The last time a club lost fewer than three games and won the league was Chelsea (one defeat) back in 2005.
Discussing his appointment last summer, Ranieri added: "I was happy when I was called to go to England. I wanted to go back so bad, that I would have accepted a team from the Football League.
“Two other Premier League clubs had contacted me, but then they made other choices.
"Leicester convinced me because of their sense of leadership, their programs, and their facilities. They are perfectly organized.
“When I met the players I told them: 'I'll take a bit of time to know you all because you are so many, but you will need to know a single person: me.
"I ask only one thing: that you give all you can for each other'. And they did.”
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