Claudio Ranieri returned to the role of Cagliari coach after a 31-year absence and was greeted at the airport by cheering fans. ‘It’s the first time this has ever happened to me!’
The 71-year-old tactician was appointed to replace Fabio Liverani at the Serie B side and came full circle, having originally been on the bench from 1988 to 1991.
During that period, he took the club to two consecutive promotions from Serie C to the top flight, and has never been forgotten.
Ranieri seemed genuinely moved by the crowds chanting his name and waving flags at the airport.
“It is an emotional situation. It’s the first time this has ever happened to me!” exclaimed the Premier League winner.
“I’d never arrived for the first time in a city to all this enthusiasm. That’s even more motivation to do well, to put more passion in and all my knowledge.
“Logically, it won’t be easy, we will have to fight from the start to the end of the season and then see where we are. We need all the passion and fire of the crowd to let the lads feel they are loved and being pushed forward on home turf.”