Leicester City Coach Claudio Ranieri 'won't rule out' taking the reins of the Azzurri in the future.
The 64-year-old's success in the Premier League suddenly made him one of the most desirable candidates to replace Antonio Conte on the Italy bench after Euro 2016.
Inevitably, after FIGC President Carlo Tavecchio's open invitation, Ranieri was asked about joining the Azzurri.
Leicester City Coach Claudio Ranieri 'won't rule out' taking the reins of the Azzurri in the future.
The 64-year-old's success in the Premier League suddenly made him one of the most desirable candidates to replace Antonio Conte on the Italy bench after Euro 2016.
Inevitably, after FIGC President Carlo Tavecchio's open invitation, Ranieri was asked about joining the Azzurri.
"I'll admit I was curious about coaching a national team, but my experience with Greece was sufficient,” Ranieri told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Of course, leading Italy would be something else. I'd never rule that out, and I'd like that very much. And Leicester, after all, have blue shirts just like the Azzurri.”
Ranieri was also asked at which point he realised he could win the Premier League with the Foxes.
“I understood we could go for the title after the away win against Manchester City. It only really hit home, however, after we lost away to Arsenal, at the 95' and down to ten men. I remember telling my assistant [Paolo] Benetti, 'with a spirit like this, something can really happen'.
"The team's eating habits? They always ask for my permission before drinking a beer. The problem is the food, and all those spicy dishes they like.”
The Tinkerman was then asked whether an equivalent to Leicester City's victory of the Premier League could happen in Serie A.
"Only if all of the great teams lost continuity, which is what happened in the Premier League. In England there's a lot of money going round. That's not necessarily what makes you win, but it pushes you up. We are the exception.
"That said, Nottingham Forest's achievement was greater than ours, as they won the title and two European Cups while coming from the lower series. I hope I can reach their level in a few years.
“They're making a film about us? They can pick whoever they want for my part, as long as the film is successful like the team.”
Ranieri was seldom given much credit back when he coached the larger teams in Italy, in particular Juventus, Roma and Inter.
“It doesn't matter to me. I conveyed my values the way that I wanted to.”