Watford coach Claudio Ranieri won’t rule out signing players from Serie A in the upcoming transfer market and believes Max Allegri’s Juventus will bounce back and ‘fight for the Scudetto this season’.
Ranieri has returned to the English top flight for a fourth stint, as he has previous spells with Chelsea, Fulham and Leicester.
The 69-year-old said he’s ‘happy to be back’ in the Premier League after the years with Roma and Sampdoria in Italy.
“Immediately after Watford’s last defeat, [owner Giampaolo] Pozzo called me to ask about my availability,” Ranieri told Radio Anch’io Sport. “We agreed and I’m very happy to be back in the Premier League.
“I like my job and I answer when there’s a good project. Great coaches are back in Italy, [Carlo] Ancelotti and I are back abroad.
“It’s part of the globalised football. I will find great coaches, great clubs and great players. It will be a beautiful adventure.”
In view of the upcoming transfer market, Ranieri explained Watford might look at the Italian league to reinforce the squad in Hertfordshire.
“Buying players from Serie A? Why not,” he said. “We signed [Nicolas] N’Koulou, former Torino, which we needed a lot.”
Ranieri left Sampdoria after leading the team to ninth in Serie A last term but the veteran coach admitted the ‘relationship was over’ with the Blucerchiati.
“I didn’t expect anything,” Ranieri said. “The relationship was over and it was still two good years where I did well.
“Marriages can also be interrupted, it’s part of our game.”
Watford, Ranieri: “Sono felice di tornare in Premier. Acquisti dalla Serie A? Perché no”#SkyPremier #PL #PremierLeague #SkySport #Watford #Ranierihttps://t.co/p0vTRLN4jZ
— skysport (@SkySport) October 11, 2021
He then focused on the Scudetto race in Serie A and warned fans about ruling out Juventus in the battle for the top spot.
“[Max] Allegri can do everything. Juventus will need some adjustments either in the next market or next year, but I’m sure that the Bianconeri will return to fight for the Scudetto this season,” Ranieri said.
“I see [Roma coach Jose] Mourinho doing well. It will be a good competition with [Maurizio] Sarri’s Lazio and losing the derby can happen.
“Napoli started well, and I think they can continue like this. They have excellent players, [Luciano] Spalletti is a great coach and the environment is amazing.
“Milan? I like [Stefano] Pioli, he’s an excellent coach and I’m happy for him and his career.”
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