Claudio Ranieri Resigns as Cagliari Manager Amid Retirement Speculation

Claudio Ranieri will step down from his role as Cagliari coach by mutual agreement, announced the Serie A club on Tuesday, amidst reports circulating in local media suggesting that the 72-year-old is poised to retire from football.

The decision follows Cagliari’s securing of another season in the Italian top flight following their victory over Sassuolo on Sunday.

According to Sky Sports Italia, Cagliari is expected to be Ranieri’s final managerial stint, as he reportedly plans to retire from the sport.

Ranieri, who had previously managed Cagliari in 1988, had one year left on his contract after joining the club last season and guiding them to promotion from Serie B.

In a statement, Cagliari expressed gratitude to Ranieri, acknowledging his role in accomplishing the team’s objectives. “These are tears of joy and gratitude for the man who was able to write some of the most beautiful scripts in Cagliari’s history. What he did will remain indelible in the hearts of every supporter.”

Ranieri’s final match in charge of Cagliari will be on Thursday when they host Fiorentina in their last game of the season.

The seasoned Italian manager, renowned for guiding Leicester City to an unlikely Premier League title in 2016, has also held coaching positions at prominent clubs such as Juventus, AS Roma, and Inter Milan in Serie A. Additionally, he has managed teams in the English Premier League, La Liga in Spain, and beyond, including stints at Chelsea, Fulham, and Watford.

“I have decided to depart at this moment, and it feels like the right decision,” Ranieri shared in a video posted on Cagliari’s social media channels. “It is a reluctant farewell because it was a tough and painful choice, but I believe it is the appropriate one.”