Claudio Ranieri says Premier League rival was ‘determined’ to appoint him

Follow us on Google Discover

Manchester City and Claudio Ranieri have both enjoyed memorable Premier League triumphs in recent years. But could they have won one together?

Leicester’s Premier League winning manager Claudio Ranieri says that Manchester City were ‘determined’ to appoint him in the summer of 2007, according to Football Italia.

The 64-year-old’s reputation could hardly be higher after guiding the unfancied Foxes to one of the greatest sporting achievements in modern times but, according to the man himself, things could have been rather different had he decided to return to England eight years sooner to lead nouveau-riche City into a new era.

And, although Ranieri admits he was keen to manage an up and coming City side containing Elano (below), Martin Petrov and Darius Vassell, the alternative offer from Italian giants Juventus proved too good to turn down.

“I will reveal some behind the scenes information about the summer of 2007,” the former Chelsea, Roma and Parma boss told Calcio 2000, as reported by Football Italia.

“Manchester City were determined to have me, but the new owner delayed in concluding the negotiations. This allowed Juventus to step in and you cannot turn down a club like that.

“In any case, I will say it honestly, I’d have been happy to go back to the Premier League. It would’ve been my first option.”

Manchester City eventually finished the 2007/08 season in ninth place after a calamitous second-half of the season under Sven Goren Eriksson (below), culminating in an 8-1 thrashing by Middlesbrough on the final day.

Ranieri, meanwhile, failed to secure a single major trophy at Juventus, Inter, Roma or Monaco before returning to England to disappoint City again, guiding Leicester to the Premier League title ahead of their illustrious rivals.