Former Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri received an award for representing Rome in sport. “I am very proud that my city remembered me.”
The tactician was given the Lupa Capitolina award today, presented by Mayor of Rome Virginia Raggi.
“We this way honour the sporting career of a true Roman. Those who worked with him recognised his great human qualities. Ranieri helped fly the flag for the city of Rome.
Former Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri received an award for representing Rome in sport. “I am very proud that my city remembered me.”
The tactician was given the Lupa Capitolina award today, presented by Mayor of Rome Virginia Raggi.
“We this way honour the sporting career of a true Roman. Those who worked with him recognised his great human qualities. Ranieri helped fly the flag for the city of Rome.
“Everyone can still see the celebrations for the Leicester City title. This boy from Testaccio made us realise that any result can be achieved. This is the spirit of the Capital that must set the example for everyone.”
Ranieri had originally thought this was part of a larger ceremony involving several different people, but instead was the sole recipient.
“I thank the Mayor and I did not expect something like this,” noted Ranieri to a group of children at the event.
“To see so many people here for me is wonderful. I am very proud that my city remembered me.
“After my career as a player, I started the career of a Coach. Now that I am a Coach, I can look back and recognise that I was almost a mediocre player.
“I never gave up, of course, and you should all not give up if someone casts you aside. Those are your dreams and they’ll remain yours for all of your life.”
Ranieri was sacked by Leicester City just nine months after winning a fairy-tale Premier League title.
“Ranieri is a son of Rome, a pride of this city and one of its greatest exports,” added FIGC Vice-President Cosimo Sibilia.
“The entire country is grateful to Ranieri and all of Italian football should thank him. A few months ago the FIGC added Ranieri into the Hall of Fame of Italian football, not just for the legendary achievement with Leicester, but also for the values he has shown to the football family over the years.
“Before being a great Coach, he is above all a great man.”