People like Claudio Ranieri are never seen as threat to anyone… hatred-filled fans, wrong-doing refs will always be understood by them and they will always find excuses for their actions. In general, they are likable people.
Behind all of that, there is a bigger truth – people feel sorry for the losers. All the circumstances leading towards the appointment of the “Tinkerman” are so unbelievable that most of the fans still don’t understand the point of signing a coach whose career has been on a downtrend for years. In Italy, Ranieri is a “si” coach, someone who is always supporting the board and who accepts all decisions and orders given by the superiors. In other words, after the stubborn and tenacious Deschamps, new owners needed someone to nod his head and be obedient. Silent warrior whose rating was rapidly descending after he had been discarded by Abramovich and replaced by Mourinho and the man who had managed to ruin champ-generation of Valencia he inherited from Rafa Benitez was the first choice in the greatest Italian club.Like some disgusting Hollywood movie, after saving Parma from relegation from Serie A, Ranieri got a green light to sit on one of the most prestigious benches in the world of football and he became Juventus coach.
Worst solution could’ve hardly been imagined…after Ancelotti, Lippi and Capello. Juvenus’ philosophy, principles which this club was built upon are all in direct conflict with Ranieri’s approach. “La Vecchia Signora” is the club whose fans feel the same if you are second or fifth, first place is all that counts. Pressure-bearing bianconeri bench is too big a challenge for Ranieri. He is always mentioning some long-term projects, but time is a relative category in Juventus and it only implies “now and immediately”. This is the maxim that hit much better managers than Ranieri in the past.
All the phrases regarding the relegation to Serie B, incapability to create a team that will be a true match to Inter and Milan all go off the table over everything we have seen in the past two years. First, Juventus kept five players form World’s Champions generation, wasted €100 million Euros in two years on players who failed to fit in Ranieri’s conception, but Juventus boast the best youth academies in Italy. So, Juventus have got all the resources needed for success. Last year, refs didn’t allow Ranieri and his trusty bunch to get in the title race, but there is a bigger truth – it wouldn’t have made a big difference anyway. All the stories and lies fans heard last year regarding the year of stabilization and prosperity, about return to Champions League as a precondition to create a powerful team are not enough of excuses now. Juvenuts holding a runners-up place at the moment means nothing, title is miles away and the fans aren’t used to watching the season end in March.
Italian Cup remains though, but that fact is an insult to everyone but Ranieri. This coach has never been able to rise above Parma and Fiorentina, and to earn his credentials for a club of Juventus’ stature. For clubs like Parma and Fiorentina, winning the Italian Cup would be something worth celebrating, for Juvetus, it is the competition where fringe players should earn they paycheck. Fact that Ranieri might win the competition referred as “Grandparents’ Cup” will not change the general perception of the wrong man at the right place in the wrong time.
Latest indications of the equally unsuccessful board that they will respect Ranieri’s contract and that he will stay in the club next season prove that the sleepy giants are not wake yet. Respecting a man who sees second place as a success is great news for Milan and Inter fans.
They probably think of Ranieri as the cutest guy in the world.
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How many Scudetti did Lippi have when he was first hired as coach?
It’s not Ranieris fault that Juventus haven’t won anything the last couple years. It’s Morattis fault. He’s the man behind the Calciopoli scandal and that’s the only reason Juventus are not Italian Champions. Without it, Inter wouldn’t have won another title in our lifetime.