Leicester City hero Claudio Ranieri reveals he nearly joined Manchester City in 2007, but instead had a difficult time at Juventus.
“I will reveal some behind the scenes information about the summer of 2007,” Ranieri told Calcio 2000.
“Manchester City were determined to have me, but the new owner delayed in concluding the negotiations. This allowed Juventus to step in and you cannot turn down a club like that.
Leicester City hero Claudio Ranieri reveals he nearly joined Manchester City in 2007, but instead had a difficult time at Juventus.
“I will reveal some behind the scenes information about the summer of 2007,” Ranieri told Calcio 2000.
“Manchester City were determined to have me, but the new owner delayed in concluding the negotiations. This allowed Juventus to step in and you cannot turn down a club like that.
“In any case, I will say it honestly, I’d have been happy to go back to the Premier League. It would’ve been my first option.”
Ranieri was sacked by Juve in May 2009 with two rounds to go in the Serie A season, having taken them to third in his first campaign.
“We did very well in my view with more highs than lows. A few rather irritating complications arose. I had some problems with the then-director general. I left because when you make decisions like that, you make them with extreme conviction.
“The blame for the transfer market strategy was attributed solely and exclusively to me, but the decisions were made by three people: myself and director of sport (Alessio) Secco for sporting matters, while the economic issues were down to (director general Jean-Claude) Blanc.
“I don’t want to speak ill of people I worked with in the past, but I was not treated well in that situation. People said the choices, in hindsight mistakes, were just mine, but that was not the case.
“I worked with great champions and good men after their difficult period in Serie B. Everyone wanted to prove themselves and start again, which was proved by the placement in the table.
“There certainly were more difficulties after I left, as you just need to remember how many Coaches were changed before Antonio Conte arrived.”
Ranieri also gave an extensive interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport's Extra Time, which you can read here.