Thursday, May 31, 2007

Ranieri resigns from Parma

From BBC Sport:

Claudio Ranieri has resigned as manager of Italian Serie A
side Parma.
The former Chelsea manager is expected to eventually take over
at Manchester City, who sacked Stuart Pearce at the end of the season.
The
56-year-old Italian took over the struggling Parma side in February and guided
them to safety, with a 12th-place finish.
His impressive stint has
reportedly convinced the City board he is the man to take over from Pearce.
A statement from Parma said: "Claudio Ranieri has informed the club of his
intention to leave his role as first-team coach.
"The club would like to
thank him for the precious work he carried out, which resulted in keeping Parma
in Serie A. We wish him success for the future."


What has been interesting in developments over the past day or so is the words that have come from the Ranieri camp - whilst never attributable to him directly, almost certainly done so with his consent:

"The Manchester City challenge reminds me of the
experience I had at Chelsea where without spending £1, we built a good team.
"I created the Chelsea miracle from nothing. My achievement convinced Roman
Abramovich to buy the club. Then, mountains of money came as well as a selection
of top players."


You do tend to forget that in the age of Mourinho and Abramovich, it was Ranieri who brought the likes of Cech, Cole, Lampard and Gudjohnsen to the club, whilst bringing through a young John Terry.

It seems a foregone conclusion that barring a miracle (we are talking about City here) things will be progressed along over the next week, and it is hoped that Ranieri will already be assessing the current squad with a view to reinforcing it shortly after his arrival.

vote it up!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

is it so unthinkable that the present board appoint Ranieri even before a (the Thai) takeover?
So giving him the time during the close season to build his backroom staff etc.

Anonymous said...

This is really encouraging. Can't see the present board taking him on though. If Thai Guy's lawyers are in the process of haggling, the board probably need every bargaining chip they can get their hands on. I just hope it gets sorted in the next day or two. Can't see it - this is City! I remember at the end of the 1967 season. We'd started to play Rock & Roll football in the Cup against Leeds, but it was obvious - we just needed one player, a striker. Bought the MEN every day through that summer to see if we'd signed anybody. Chivers went to Spurs for £115,000, but for us - nothing. I suppose Joe was on his holidays.

And then - he'd only bought Francis Lee for £60,000. As soon as I read the headline, I knew we were going to win the league that coming year. We played United off the park in the Old Trafford derby (although they did their best to cripple Colin Bell).

Last match of the season, I was in the Leazes end at St James' Park. My heart still bursts with joy when I remember that day.

Thats what the City fans want. Not 4-5-1 at home in a derby.

Wardle & Makin know that - they were probably there too. Francis Lee certainly was. It'll come.

Anonymous said...

Wigan Blue, thank u for the memories but... Cannot imagine the present City finding us another Frannie Lee not with our scouting system.
also with the supposed 50 million awaiting "to be wasted" I ask you is it really necessary?
What is required.. a decent proven goal scorer (15-20 goals) a left sided midfielder or two to complement Johnson/Ireland,replacement for Distin if Micah/Nedum are not suitable enough.
Keeping the Faith,

Anonymous said...

Newcastle want Joey Barton. They can get stuffed - he's a blue - through and through. Hang in there Joey - we're going to fly.