Ranieri jokes about Roma future: ‘I already retired once’ | OneFootball

Claudio Ranieri joked about his potential Roma future after the 3-1 win over Genoa, noting that ‘already said I retired and then here I am back again!’

The Giallorossi continued to turn their season around and clamber up the standings with this 3-1 victory over Genoa at the Stadio Olimpico.

Artem Dovbyk’s tap-in had been cancelled out by Patrizio Masini volleying in a corner, but the introduction of Stephan El Shaarawy for injured Lorenzo Pellegrini at half-time made the difference.

His curler from the edge of the area bent into the far bottom corner, then a chaotic situation on the Manu Kone pull-back from the by-line saw it ricochet in off goalkeeper Nicola Leali.

“It was a tough game, because Genoa have really become solid since Patrick Vieira took over and it was difficult to find a way through, especially after we conceded from a set play,” Ranieri told Sky Sport Italia.

“We persevered, it was tough, but we wanted it to thank these 62,000 fans who came here on a Friday night to cheer us on. I assumed it’d be 30,000 and it was double that. We must do everything for these people, because they love us beyond every limit. When they protested, it was because extreme love makes them always want the maximum.

“I tell the players to give their maximum, because even if we don’t get the result, I at least know they’ve given their all and that is the most important thing for me.”

Roma revitalised since Ranieri took over

epa11832130 Roma’s coach Claudio Ranieri during the Italian Serie A soccer match AS Roma vs Genoa CFC at Olimpico stadium in Rome, Italy, 17 January 2025. EPA-EFE/ALESSANDRO DI MEO

This was the seventh consecutive home victory in all competition for Roma, breaking a Genoa side who were unbeaten on their travels since Vieira took charge in November.

Dybala seems to have finally found his fitness levels, as this was his eighth game in a row without injury or loss of intensity, while El Shaarawy changed the game off the bench.

“Seeing how they all train is marvellous, as we play every three days and so we need everyone. El Shaarawy is one of the most experienced players in the squad and I know that I can always count on him,” added Ranieri.

Roma are back in action for the Europa League with a crunch trip to AZ Alkmaar on Thursday evening.

“We have two important games coming up in Europe, you are either in or out, so we’ll try to get a result in the Netherlands. It won’t be easy, but the lads are in good shape and we’ll see where we end up.”

Ranieri was brought in as a caretaker until the end of the season, when he will then take on a directorial role, but is he quite sure that he intends to quit in June?

“Look, I don’t want to say anything. I already said I had retired and then here I am back again! Leave me alone!” laughed Sir Claudio.

“I had already decided a year ago that I wanted to quit. So I’ll quit in future…”