Claudio Ranieri makes shock AS Roma return aged 73 for third spell after Serie A side sacked Ivan Juric

CLAUDIO RANIERI has completed a shock retirement U-turn to return for a third stint as Roma manager.

The legendary Italian, 73, took charge of the Serie A giants from 2009 to 2011 and then again in 2019.

But he called time on his illustrious career in management when he left Cagliari at the end of last season.

However, he has now agreed a deal to head back to the Stadio Olimpico dugout.

The veteran flew to London for a meeting with Roma owner Dan Friedkin to thrash out his comeback and he was mobbed by around 200 fans when landing back in the Italian capital.

Tennis player Flavio Cobolli was bizarrely one of those swarming the legend.

News outlet Ansa asked Ranieri if he is a "tough nut to crack".

He is quoted as replying: "That's why they called me."

He added when quizzed on the big turnaround job on his hands: "Ready! Our players are coming."

Ranieri becomes Roma's third manager of the season.

Daniele De Rossi, who took over from Jose Mourinho in January, was sacked just four games into the 2024-25 campaign and then the board axed Ivan Juric earlier this week.

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Roma sit way down in 12th in the Serie A table following Sunday's 3-2 defeat at home to Bologna.

That was their fourth loss in their last five league matches - including a 5-1 thumping at Fiorentina - and spelt the end for Juric after just 53 days and 12 games in charge.

Erik ten Hag was available for the Roma vacancy while Turkey national team boss Vincenzo Montella was considered but both were overlooked in favour of Ranieri.

Ranieri's his first match in charge will be a trip to Napoli on November 24 after the international break, before facing Tottenham in the Europa League in North London four days later.

He will have to wait until December 2 before being greeted by his adoring home fans when Roma host Atalanta.

The veteran gaffer, a childhood Roma fan, missed out on both the Serie A title and the Coppa Italia in heartbreaking fashion to Mourinho's Treble-winning Inter side in 2010.

He resigned in February 2011 after losing 4-3 to Genoa from 3-0 up.

In his brief comeback in March 2019 to see out the remainder of the season.

His outstanding achievement, though, will always be the iconic Premier League title win with 5,000-1 Leicester City in 2015-16.

The Dilly-Ding Dilly-Dong boss famously led the relegation-tipped Foxes to the unlikely triumph, finishing ten points clear at the top of the table and booking their spot in the Champions League.

Ranieri announced his departure from club management earlier this year after leading Cagliari - who he first managed in 1988 - to promotion to Serie A and then kept them in the top flight.

He had suggested Cagliari would be his final club team but remained open to international offers despite having a nightmare with Greece in 2014.

However, the lure of another spell at his beloved Roma was too much to resist.