Veteran football manager Claudio Ranieri recently discussed his views on player management and offered his perspective on the state of Italian football. He also reflected on the historic Premier League triumph with Leicester City in 2016, expressing hope for similar unexpected successes in the future.
Ranieri`s Guide to Man-Management
Ranieri emphasized the importance of being honest with players, even when delivering difficult feedback. He prefers one-on-one conversations for criticism, stating he never blamed a player directly for a loss. His approach focuses on improving performance by showing players both their mistakes using video analysis and, crucially, highlighting what they did correctly, believing positive reinforcement is more impactful than constant criticism. He noted that some players learn quickly, while others require more patience and support.
With a career spanning back to 1986, the 73-year-old coach has witnessed significant changes in football. He stressed the vital need for managers to continuously update their knowledge, mentioning that after being sacked, he would travel to observe other coaches in Europe to broaden his perspective.
Critique of Italian Tactics
Having worked in various countries like Spain, France, Greece, and England, Ranieri highlighted the differences compared to Italian football. He contended that Italian teams are overly fixated on tactics, which can hinder the adaptation and integration of talented foreign players. In contrast, he feels countries like England and France prioritize tactics but are not as rigidly bound by them.
Ranieri explained that his approach abroad involved establishing fundamental principles and then focusing on player interactions and leveraging their individual strengths, rather than overly restricting them. While acknowledging the stereotype of Italian football being solely defensive (Catenaccio), he argued that adopting a defensive posture with many players behind the ball becomes necessary when facing significantly stronger opposition. He concluded that Italian football can maintain its identity while remaining open to diverse strategic ideas.
Recent reports have speculated that Ranieri could be considered as a potential replacement for Luciano Spalletti as the Italy national team coach.
The Leicester City Fairy Tale
The most memorable achievement of Ranieri`s career was leading Leicester City to the Premier League title in 2016. He recounted arriving at the club, which had just avoided relegation and was seen as inconsistent. The initial goal set by the owner was simply to secure their top-flight status.
He explained that they focused on achieving their target incrementally, taking “one step at a time.” This process fostered a remarkable connection between the coach, players, and supporters. Ranieri expressed his sincere hope that the football world will witness more “Leicester City fairy tales” in the future.
He elaborated, wishing for another team to unexpectedly find its momentum (“north star”) in a season where the traditional top clubs lack their usual consistency. He believes these unpredictable successes are what make football beautiful.
