Claudio Ranieri is on the verge of making his return to Italian football and to Cagliari after 31 years by signing for the Serie B side where he effectively began his coaching career.
The 71-year-old already played a big part in this club’s history when leading them from 1988 to 1991, earning back-to-back promotions to take them from Serie C to the top flight.
His picture is on the walls of the stadium tunnel along with other legendary figures for the Sardinians and now he is ready to return.
Fabio Liverani was fired this week with Cagliari languishing in 14th place in the Serie B table, amassing just one win in their last 10 games between the league and Coppa Italia.
According to Sky Sport Italia, Ranieri has agreed basic terms and the signature should arrive over the next 24 hours for a contract to June 2024.
That would allow him to make his debut on December 26 against Cosenza.
Ranieri has been out of work since he was dismissed after just 14 games by Watford in January.
He had also been linked with a return to Serie A for Sampdoria, but was unimpressed with the project at the troubled side.