If there’s one man who, as a manager, you want to be receiving praise from, it’s probably Claudio Ranieri.
The Italian managed something deemed near impossible in winning the Premier League with Leicester City last season, and since then, he’s been Mr. Popular.
Giving interviews left, right and centre, Ranieri was even asked by SillasGoal on Thursday, relayed by AS, about the appointment of Cesare Prandelli, recently announced as Valencia’s new manager.
Picking up only their second win of the season at the weekend following the sacking of Pako Ayestaran, Gary Neville’s former team are in serious need of something new, which Valencia hope Prandelli can bring.
Ranieri said: “He’s Italian. He likes football, but he’s Italian. It’s always in their blood to protect the goal, even if he’s a manager who likes to have the ball. I’m sure he’s going to have a great season with Valencia. He’s a great manager and a very good pick for Valencia.”
Expanding by saying Prandelli will get the best out of the players, as well as finding the best system for the players already there, Ranieri seems pretty confident his compatriot will turn things around at his former team (he managed them for the 2004-05 season).
We’ll have to wait until the end of the season to see if he was right.
As a manager, Prandelli has won one Serie B, and come runner-up at the 2012 Euros when in charge of Italy.
His last job was 147 days in charge of Galatasaray, winning six of his 16 games in charge.
