Sampdoria coach Claudio Ranieri has revealed that he knew his stint at Roma would be over without a place in the Champions League.
Last season, the 68-year-old replaced Eusebio Di Francesco at the Olimpico, but only lasted for a few months in the Italian capital.
He has revealed that he was aware of the task in hand and the Giallorossi decided to appoint Paulo Fonseca as their new coach last summer.
Sampdoria coach Claudio Ranieri has revealed that he knew his stint at Roma would be over without a place in the Champions League.
Last season, the 68-year-old replaced Eusebio Di Francesco at the Olimpico, but only lasted for a few months in the Italian capital.
He has revealed that he was aware of the task in hand and the Giallorossi decided to appoint Paulo Fonseca as their new coach last summer.
“In March, I would’ve only accepted Roma,” Ranieri told Corriere dello Sport. “It was the Roma supporter in me that made me say yes.
“I knew I had little time available and that it was necessary to regroup the team and the environment.
“The fans, who are fantastic, gave me a big hand. I knew that if we didn’t reach the Champions League, I wouldn’t get a new deal.”
Ranieri replaced Di Francesco again during the first half of this season, but this time at Sampdoria, and he said he “was convinced” that he would get the Blucerchiati through a “difficult period”.
“I knew that the team had quality and that they were only going through a difficult period,” he added. “They were not used to being in this position. I was convinced that we would come back up.
“It was enough to just give the lads some serenity, conviction and self-esteem.”
Sampdoria are currently 16th in the League and four points above the relegation zone ahead of their next match against Fiorentina this weekend.