Claudio Ranieri

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Ranieri arrived at Leicester City in the summer of 2015. In his first season, he won the 2015–16 Premier League, a result that came after the club had narrowly avoided relegation the previous year. His success earned him the 2016 Premier League Manager of the Season and LMA Manager of the Year awards. He was also awarded the Grand Officer of the Italian Order of Merit, the Enzo Bearzot Award as the best Italian manager of the year, and the Best FIFA Men's Coach. Despite this historic achievement, he was dismissed by the club in February 2017 following a run of poor results.

In Their Own Story

In May 2016, Claudio Ranieri led Leicester City to their first Premier League title after narrowly avoiding relegation the season before. The victory was recognized as one of the greatest shocks in sporting history. Following this triumph, he received multiple accolades, including the Best FIFA Men's Coach and the Grand Officer of the Italian Order of Merit. His tenure ended less than a year later when he was dismissed by the club in February 2017 due to poor results.

Reader's Guide

Claudio Ranieri managed Leicester City from the summer of 2015 until February 2017. During this period, he secured the 2015–16 Premier League title, a historic achievement for the club. He was named the 2016 Premier League Manager of the Season and LMA Manager of the Year. His time at the club concluded with his dismissal in February 2017 after a run of poor results.

Did You Know?

• Ranieri stated he would travel to Rome for lunch with his 96-year-old mother instead of watching the Chelsea–Tottenham match that ultimately secured Leicester's first Premier League title.
• He was awarded the Best FIFA Men's Coach following the 2015–16 season.
• Ranieri is a lifelong supporter of AS Roma and was born in San Saba, a neighbourhood near the Circus Maximus.
• He was dismissed by Leicester City in February 2017 after a run of poor results.

The Leicester City Miracle

Claudio Ranieri achieved what many considered impossible during the 2015–16 season when he guided Leicester City to the Premier League title. The club had narrowly avoided relegation just a year prior, making their transformation into champions one of the most shocking feats in sporting history. Under his leadership, the team secured the league trophy while Ranieri himself received numerous accolades, including being named the 2016 Premier League Manager of the Season and LMA Manager of the Year. His success also earned him international recognition with the Best FIFA Men's Coach award and Italy's Grand Officer Order of Merit. Despite this historic triumph, his tenure ended abruptly in February 2017 following a slump in form that led to his dismissal. This period remains the defining chapter of his managerial career, showcasing his ability to unite a squad and maximize potential against overwhelming odds.

Early Italian Foundations

Ranieri established his reputation as a tactician during his early years managing in Italy's lower divisions before ascending to the top flight. His breakthrough occurred at Cagliari starting in 1988, where he orchestrated consecutive promotions from Serie C1 all the way to Serie A. At this club, his teams were renowned for their fluid tactical systems capable of shifting formations dynamically throughout a single match. He later took charge of Napoli during financially turbulent times, successfully qualifying them for the UEFA Cup despite eventually being dismissed after a second-round exit. His most decorated spell came at Fiorentina from 1993 onward; he immediately secured promotion to Serie A and subsequently won both the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana in 1996. These early successes demonstrated his capacity to rebuild struggling clubs and instill winning cultures across different Italian tiers.

International Stints and Resilience

Beyond club football, Ranieri navigated a complex path through international management and cross-border appointments with mixed results. His time in Spain included spells at Valencia and Atlético Madrid, where he won the Copa del Rey and UEFA Intertoto Cup while laying foundations for future Champions League qualification. In England, his four seasons at Chelsea saw consistent improvement until new owner Roman Abramovich's arrival led to a runners-up finish and a semi-final European campaign before Ranieri was dismissed in 2004. Later, he revitalized Monaco in Ligue 2, winning promotion as champions before finishing second in the top flight. However, his brief tenure with the Greece national team ended poorly after less than four months following a defeat to the Faroe Islands. These varied experiences highlighted both his adaptability and the volatility of high-pressure football environments.

Personal Life and Faith

Born in Rome's San Saba neighborhood near the Circus Maximus, Ranieri is a lifelong AS Roma supporter who began playing at his local church. Described by childhood friends as having a quiet, reserved demeanor often associated with English culture, he resides in Formello alongside family members and fellow football legend Dino Zoff. He is married to Dr. Rosanna, and they have a daughter named Claudia, whose marriage to actor Alessandro Roja brought Ranieri two grandchildren. A devout Catholic who prays daily, he credits his spiritual life for his resilience, famously stating he speaks with God regardless of whether he deserves help or not. This faith was publicly highlighted in May 2016 when he chose to have lunch with his 96-year-old mother over watching a crucial Chelsea match, an event that coincided with Leicester City securing the Premier League title.