The "pot-making man" was ordered in the face of danger. Can the 74-year-old coach lead Italy out of the darkest moment?

On June 10, 2025, Italian Football Association Chairman Gravina officially announced that 74-year-old Ranieri will replace Spalletti, who was dismissed, as the interim head coach of the Italian national team, and continue to serve as the Rome club consultant. This appointment is only three days after Italy's 0-3 defeat to Norway in Group I of the World Cup. The team temporarily ranked third in the group and the qualifying situation is in danger.

From Rome to the national team: The ultimate test of a 44-year football career

Ranieli's career can be regarded as the "anti-routine script" of the football world. When he was a player, he played for Roma only played 6 times in 6 years. After retiring, he moved to Cagliari to complete two consecutive jumps in Serie B, but was fired when he took charge of Chelsea in 2000 for being "too conservative". Until 2015, he staged an epic counterattack at Leicester City: he built a team with a net worth of 50 million pounds, broke the 12-year monopoly of the Premier League to win the championship, and became the most famous "grassroots miracle" creator in football history.

In December 2022, Ranieri was ordered to coach Cagliari in the face of danger and successfully led the team to relegate (ranked 16th in Serie A in the 2022-23 season). After announcing his retirement in May 2024, he returned to coach Roma for the third time in November of the same year, leading the team to complete a shocking counterattack: from 12th place in Serie A to 5th place, only 1 point away from the Champions League qualification. After the season, he had already been transferred to the club's consultant, but the Italian Football Association's urgent call forced him to come out again.

Three core issues: Challenges that Ranieri must face

The collapse of the tactical system

Sparetti

The pass control system left by Spelletti exposed fatal flaws in Oslo: the team only completed three shots at 62% possession rate, while Norway scored through 3 counterattacks and 2 set pieces. After taking office, Ranieli made it clear: "I will give up invalid ball control and strengthen wing breakthroughs and quick conversions." This tactical adjustment has been verified to be successful in Rome's 2024 relegation battle.

The reorganization of the defense line is imminent

The last three World Cup qualifiers, Italy's defense mistakes resulted in 9 goals conceded. After Chiellini retired, the tacit understanding between the central defender Bastoni and Archerby continued to decline. Ranieli plans to recall veteran Bonucci and loan Casani from Juventus to build a "old lead new" defense line.

intergenerational contradictions in locker room

forward combination Retge and Raspadori lack chemical reactions. Midfielder Locatelli and Flatesi's distribution of ball rights has sparked disputes. Countdown to the life and death battle: The key battle against Moldova on September 5th

Italy will usher in its first home match between the World Cup on September 5th, with its opponent being Estonia, ranked 154th in the world. Although the opponent is weak, Italy has only won 1 in the last five official games (2-0 wins by Moldova), and has exposed serious loopholes on the defensive end - it has been shot 14.2 per game and conceded 1.8 goals. The ultimate game of football philosophy

Ranieli's return has sparked heated debate in Italian football. Supporters believe that his "pragmatic football" can quickly improve his winning rate: during Leicester City, he made up for his lineup shortcomings through set pieces; opponents were worried that his conservative style would kill the technological tradition. Rome's former player De Rossi publicly stated: "What we need is innovation, not to return to the old path ten years ago. "

From Cagliari youth training camp to Wembley Stadium, Ranie used 44 years to interpret another possibility of football coaching. Ranieri, 74, wants to prove with his actions: football is not only a game of youth, but also a inheritance of wisdom and feelings. This battle of redemption may be the starting point for Italian football to find a new direction.