Former Chelsea boss dramatically comes out of retirement as Tottenham get Frank Lampard answer

Former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri has ended his retirement to return to Roma for a third spell.

The 73-year-old, who managed Chelsea between 2000 and 2004, guided Cagliari to safety in May, almost 40 years after his first managerial role, and had said that would be his final job. But on Wednesday Serie A side Roma confirmed Ranieri as the team's new head coach, with the Italian replacing Ivan Juric who was sacked on Sunday.

Ranieri, who enjoyed a two-year spell with Roma in 2009 and a short tenure five years ago, will take charge of the Serie A club until the end of the season. The one-time Roma player will then move into a senior executive role where he will act as an advisor to the ownership group.

“AS Roma is pleased to announce that Claudio Ranieri is the new Head Coach of the First Team,” a club statement read. "At the conclusion of the season, Claudio will transition into a senior executive role, where he will be an adviser to the ownership on all sporting matters at the club.

“The search for a future coach will proceed over the next months. Claudio will have input in that decision as well.”

It brings an end to speculation linking former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard with the Roma job. According to reports earlier this week, Lampard had been discussed as a potential candidate to take the reigns at the Stadio Olimpico.

Tottenham will be keeping an eye on the situation at the Serie A side as the Lilywhites are due to face Roma after the international break. Spurs will first return to action with a huge league meeting with current holders Manchester City, which will be followed by a Europa League home tie against the Italian giants.

Ranieri memorably guided Leicester to a shock Premier League title in 2016 and had other memorable spells in England with Chelsea, Fulham and Watford. The Italian is Roma’s fourth manager of 2024 after Jose Mourinho, Daniele de Rossi and Juric.

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