Claudio Ranieri’s Return to Roma: Why a ‘Roman’ Touch is Deemed Essential for the Club

A banner displayed outside the training ground gates conveyed the message: “Presidents and directors, leave Roma, you are incompetent and unworthy.” This reflects the clear dissatisfaction of Roma supporters with the club’s tumultuous trajectory under its current ownership. The prevailing sentiment in Rome suggests a desire for the Friedkins to depart, fueled by frustration over perceived lack of clear direction, inconsistent decision-making, and poor on-field performance, irrespective of financial investment. Following the American group’s acquisition of the club in 2020, Roma’s current president, Dan Friedkin, stated: “Our vision for the club and the team is to favour a sustainable and long-term investment approach rather than quick fixes.” On Thursday, Roma appointed 73-year-old Claudio Ranieri, who had previously retired in May, as their fourth coach within the current calendar year. The team currently occupies 12th place in Serie A, positioned only four points clear of the relegation zone. The Giallorossi have not accumulated as few as 13 points from their initial 12 league matches since the 2004-05 season. Ivan Juric, the most recent manager to be dismissed, departs with the lowest points-per-game average for a Roma coach in two decades. His final game at the helm was a 3-2 home loss against Bologna, a match characterized by a listless display on the field contrasting sharply with the intense anger of the fans in the stands. A pervasive sense of gloom was evident. Persistent booing from exasperated Roma supporters ultimately led them to abandon the stadium. Defender Gianluca Mancini also seemed to exhibit a lack of effort on the pitch. The Italy international centre-half, who served as captain on Sunday, advanced from the defensive line as an opposing pass was delivered behind him. He remained stationary and observed, instead of attempting to regain his position, as Bologna secured their third goal of the match. Following the defeat, Roma’s technical director, Florent Ghisolfi, addressed the press. He offered an apology to the fans for their distress and recognized the club’s obligation to “take our share of the responsibility.” The club confirmed Juric’s dismissal just 30 minutes after the final whistle, less than two months into his tenure. Gazzetta dello Sport characterized this as the quickest dismissal in the club’s history. The initial decision to appoint Juric underscored the absence of a defined sporting strategy. Upon the Friedkins’ arrival, their choice to appoint Jose Mourinho as manager garnered praise. Mourinho, a manager with a track record of success and the ability to attract global attention, was expected to fulfill both commercial and athletic objectives. The Stadio Olimpico experienced 43 consecutive sold-out matches, and the fan base developed a strong affection for the Portuguese coach, who guided them to consecutive European finals. Nevertheless, Roma did not adequately prepare for the period following Mourinho’s departure. His dismissal provoked fury among fans, and the subsequent decision to appoint Daniele de Rossi appeared to be an attempt to appease supporters rather than a move aligned with a long-term strategic vision. The former team captain possessed an understanding of the club and its culture but brought a distinct playing style and limited experience. The subsequent decision to extend his contract prior to the summer generated some surprise. The Friedkins invested over 100 million euros (£83 million) in summer transfers, intending to support De Rossi’s tactical approach and squad needs. His dismissal merely four weeks into the season remains a swift and perplexing choice; however, subsequently entrusting the team to Juric, a coach with a fundamentally different playing philosophy, highlighted a deficiency in proactive planning. Juric’s tenure predictably proved unsuccessful. He not only struggled to convey his tactical concepts, but the players also appeared visibly disheartened, discontent, or marginalized. Notably, Germany centre-half Mats Hummels, who arrived at Roma on a free transfer during the summer, experienced this. He had expressed growing up admiring Francesco Totti and De Rossi, and his enthusiasm to train under the latter. Yet, he was consistently sidelined by Juric, who opted to deploy a midfielder in defense rather than the Champions League finalist. Dan Friedkin stated in his inaugural official interview four years ago: “We are big believers in stability and culture. This is important in our existing businesses, and it’s critically important in football. We try to identify, and more importantly support, strong management.” A significant issue at Roma is the lack of clarity regarding who holds ultimate decision-making authority. The club remains without a CEO following Lina Souloukou’s resignation. Furthermore, Frenchman Ghisolfi, who publicly addressed fan anger and admitted errors, appears to lack decision-making power, prompting Italian media speculation about the duration of his role. His exclusive use of French is not conducive in a club deeply rooted in its history and traditions. Ranieri has previously managed Roma on two occasions, the club where he also began his playing career. Managing Roma is widely considered the most challenging task in Italian football, largely attributable to the constant external scrutiny and commentary. Fabio Capello achieved numerous significant accomplishments during his managerial career, including a notable victory over Johan Cruyff’s Barcelona in the 1994 European Cup final with AC Milan. However, some contend that his greatest achievement remains winning Serie A with Roma, navigating the constant debates, criticisms, and intense scrutiny from an impassioned fanbase and city. A deeper understanding and respect for Roma’s history by the current ownership would have implied avoiding the swift dismissal of an iconic former captain such as De Rossi, and refraining from appointing directors who do not speak the local language and struggle to grasp the club’s culture and passionate support. The decision to employ Ranieri, a former Roma player and manager, might represent a modest acknowledgment that this distinctive club requires leadership from individuals who comprehend its intricacies and are equipped to manage its challenges. Ranieri, a proven winner and seasoned tactician, emerged from retirement to assume leadership of the club he holds in highest regard, likening his return to “calling in the cavalry.” Entrusted with stabilizing the team, Ranieri is considered a reliable choice to steer Roma through the remainder of the season before transitioning into an executive role. A statement from Roma confirmed: “At the conclusion of the season, Claudio will transition into a senior executive role, where he will be an adviser to the ownership on all sporting matters at the club. The search for a future coach will proceed over the next months. Claudio will have input in that decision as well.” It is suggested that perhaps only an individual with deep ties to Rome can effectively guide Roma’s future planning. For the immediate term, Ranieri is tasked with securing victories for the fans, who enthusiastically welcomed him at the airport and are delighted by his return to leadership. Forza Ranieri.