The twist was served. When everything seemed to point towards Montella’s return to Trigoria, Dan and Ryan Friedkin dropped the ace. It would always be about returning (with the two it is better to use the conditional until the end) but in this case it would be sensational. Because the new name, which isn’t new, is Claudio Ranieri. Yes, he himself, Sir Claudio, the Giallorossi coach Wolf who now, awaiting the match that took place on the London night, is the big favorite for the Giallorossi bench. Last night the Roman coach, together with the agent Pietro Chiodi who looks after his interests, was seen at Fiumicino airport boarding a British Airways flight. It is true that Ranieri has a home in the City but the timing and above all the presence of the prosecutor appears quite singular. A situation that will have its developments in the morning but it is clear that the difficulties in reaching Montella (who had to pay a penalty of 1.5 million to free himself and immediately saw the Turkish Federation get in the way: «It doesn’t exist as a possibility», the declaration of the vice-president Ceyhun Kazanci) plus the various “no thanks” received from the Friedkins, meant that the focus was on the 73-year-old from San Saba. It would be the closing of the circle: in a few hours we would go from a small airplane for an aviator to a man capable of calming the square, the team and acting as a shield, as had already happened with De Rossi in January after Mourinho’s farewell, to US ownership, never so disliked as in recent times.
Claudio Ranieri towards Roma, he is one step away from the bench. Claudio flies to London to meet the Friedkins
DIFFERENCE OF VIEWS
What is certain is that he was burned by the choice of Juric, entrusted to the former CEO Souloukou, Dan – who was also convinced by Ryan about De Rossi – this time wants to put his signature on it. He is the owner of the club and as such the final say is his. And also for this reason that Daniele’s return was never contemplated: a master (not a casual term) never retraces his steps. The statement of 23 September where it was explained to the fans how the choice to separate was dictated by the «conviction that it is the right way to aim for trophies this season», weighs heavily. For this reason, Ranieri’s candidacy, although now in pole position, will only be ratified after an interview. If, as it seems, the Roman coach is ultimately the chosen one, it will finally be a common sense decision. Sir Claudio is the right man at the right time and above all in the right place. It will then be curious later to understand how Ryan convinced his father, who was initially oriented towards foreign profiles. Because it is not the first time that the two have disagreed on the choices to make. A month ago, the figure of Fenucci for example, she seemed very close to returning to the capital to take on the role of CEO again. Something – between advice and whispers received – broke at the most beautiful moment. Differences which inevitably slowed down the official status of the new coach. Today should be the right day for the announcement also because the resumption of training, initially scheduled for the afternoon, has been postponed until tomorrow. Counting in hand, three days of stoppage. Not bad for a team that is twelfth in the standings and is coming off a streak, including the cups, of three defeats, one draw and one win. Among other things, if the chosen one is Ranieri, as it seems, the coach will be immediately available. Unlike Montella who would not arrive in Trigoria before Thursday 20th given that Turkey, after Wales, will be busy on Wednesday 19th against Montenegro. This also played a role in the choice in the end. In the meantime, in fact, the sessions would have been entrusted to the Primavera coach Falsini. A situation that would have bordered on the surreal, especially given how the Friedkins had been accustomed to acting in the past. Mourinho’s announcement was a bolt from the blue with Fonseca remaining in charge for the last three games. Both for the farewells of the Special and for De Rossi, the wait for the new coach was postponed to the following day. Sir Claudio, the fixer par excellence, fixes this too.
GHISOLFI UNDER EXAMINATION
Beyond Ranieri, who should be considered as the first piece of a reconstruction (and at a later stage it is likely that he will take on the role of technical director), the corporate structure will then need to be completed. Yesterday afternoon a call also took place between sporting director Ghisolfi and the US owners. The French executive’s position is under scrutiny. The revolution that the Friedkins have in mind will in fact also affect the management sector. On the 52nd day without CEO, they remain in the running Perrelli (Vice President Sky), Antonello (leaving from Inter) and Carnevali (Sassuolo). First, however, it’s the coach’s turn. Who since last night has had a familiar and reassuring face. That of an old friend, Ranieri, who once again did not hold back in times of difficulty.
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