Claudio Ranieri retires after 37 years in management

Claudio Ranieri, the renowned manager who famously led Leicester City to an unexpected Premier League title in 2016, has officially announced his retirement from football at the age of 72.

Ranieri's final match as a manager took place on Thursday, with Cagliari suffering a 3-2 defeat to Fiorentina at their home ground, the Sardegna Arena. Despite the loss, Ranieri received a heartfelt ovation from the fans and a guard of honor from his players.

In a statement to reporters, Ranieri expressed his sentiments about closing this chapter of his life where it all began, having previously managed Cagliari back in 1988. He said, "There is a beginning and an end to everything. It is only fair: to close the circle in this way, where I had started, is something I dreamed of and the dream was wonderful."

Throughout his illustrious career, Ranieri managed several Serie A teams including Juventus, Roma, and Inter Milan. However, he is most renowned for his remarkable achievement in guiding Leicester City to their fairytale Premier League triumph.

In addition to his time in the Premier League with Leicester, Ranieri also managed Chelsea, Fulham, and Watford. He also had stints in Spain's LaLiga, coaching Valencia and Atletico Madrid.

Reflecting on his journey, Ranieri humbly acknowledged the role of luck in his success. He stated, "Luck does not fall on you, it has to be sought. I was a lucky man: I wanted to be a footballer, I managed to do it. Then when I was 30, I tried to understand if I understood soccer, I tried and I succeeded."

While Ranieri may not have been a standout player during his playing days, he found immense joy and fulfillment as a coach. He expressed, "As a player, I was not a great champion, but as a coach, I had a lot of fun. For me, it was an honor to be in the world of soccer."

Cagliari president, Tommaso Giulini, took the opportunity to commend Ranieri's impact on the club during a ceremony following the match. He emphasized the values of grace, loyalty, determination, and courage that Ranieri leaves behind, stating, "I don't want to talk about what the coach did in Cagliari. You all know that. I would like to focus on what he leaves us with."