Claudio Ranieri has revived Roma and won the hearts of fans, but one phrase of his “scares”: now he must avoid a fatal mistake
Picture the scene: a Roma fan, sitting at the bar with friends, tells about the derby he just won against Lazio. Smiles, toasts, pats on the back. Lorenzo Pellegrini is the first name that comes to everyone’s mind but each of them knows that this triumph has a name and a surname: Claudio Ranieri.
Claudio Ranieri ha salvato la Roma. E adesso? (Foto: Ansa) – serieanews.com
When he returned to the Giallorossi bench, Roma seemed to be in a dead end. A disastrous season, the risk of losing valuable pieces such as Dybala and Pellegrini, and a ranking that made people want to look elsewhere. In short, a nightmare.
Then he comes along, the “normal one,” with his simple but effective approach. And it is as if someone has turned on the light. The team found itself: Pellegrini, who seemed on the doorstep with suitcases in hand, is back as a leader and in the derby scored a goal that will remain in the memory. Hummels, given up for finished, now leads the defense as he once did, and even Paredes looks like a different player.
Ranieri has not just restored confidence in individuals; he has found an arrangement that works. Roma is not only more solid, but finally playing with a clear idea. And the derby win, which gave the fans immense joy, is proof that the path taken is the right one.
However, in the group of fans at the bar, after the initial praise, there would inevitably be someone who would say the fateful phrase, “What a man, Ranieri. A real magician! Let’s hope he doesn’t get the idea to stay on next year as well, though, eh!” Because, let’s face it, Claudio Ranieri is writing another one of his fairy tales, but he’s in danger of ruining it right at the most beautiful.
Restare in panchina anche l’anno prossimo? Ranieri, non farlo!
Yep, because just when everything seems to be going swimmingly, here comes the first sign of trouble. In a pre-derby interview, Ranieri let slip a phrase: “Another year? No, but even in Cagliari I said stop…” Words that sound like an opening to the possibility of staying on next season as well. And here the question arises: is this really a good idea?
Ranieri con Dybala, uno dei simboli della sua impresa (AnsaFoto) – serieanews.com
The answer, as harsh as it may seem, is no. To stay would risk turning this wonderful adventure into a bitter memory. Ranieri has proven before that prolonged returns do not always end well. Next year’s Roma will need new ideas, a long-term project, and above all a solid bench from day one. And we all know how quickly soccer can wear out its protagonists: a couple of bad results and today’s hero could become tomorrow’s target.
The beauty of this story is that Ranieri has already won, regardless of how the season ends. He has restored dignity to a team that seemed lost, given the fans a derby victory, and shown, once again, how much of a difference a coach with experience and charisma can make. At 74, he has little to prove and everything to lose if he doesn’t stop here at the end of the season with his image intact and everyone’s respect.
Ranieri dirigente: una scelta di cuore, ma anche di testa. Claudio, non sbagliare!
Besides, why not imagine a different future? Ranieri managing his beloved Roma, perhaps in a role that allows him to still be close to the team but without the daily stress of the bench. It would be a perfect way to close out an extraordinary career while maintaining a strong bond with the colors he loves.
Leaving is never easy, especially for someone like Ranieri, who has made soccer his life. But sometimes, courage lies precisely in knowing when it is time to stop. And this, for him, may be that time. Roma needs to look to the future with a clear and ambitious project, and Ranieri has already done his part: he has been the right man at the right time, the friend who runs to give you a hand in time of need.
Now it is someone else’s turn to pick up the baton. Someone important, chosen precisely by Claudio Ranieri, who could turn from a “simple” savior of the country into the man who started a splendid new cycle for Roma. The question is, why not?
This article Roma, magician Ranieri saved you: now though don’t make that mistake there appeared in its original version, first on SerieANews.
