Ranieri still moody about Blues

Former Chelsea boss still miffed by 2004 sacking

Former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri has revealed he is still bitter over his sacking in 2004.

The Italian was a firm fans' favourite at Stamford Bridge, but was dismissed by Roman Abramovich in order to make way for Jose Mourinho.

Ranieri went on to manage Valencia and Parma before helping Serie A giants Juventus back into Italy's top flight.

Despite leaving Stamford Bridge over four years ago the 56-year-old has confirmed his axe has left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Bitter

"Am I bitter? Yes," stated Ranieri.

"Before Roman Abramovich came to Chelsea, I was doing my job. I carried on doing it for him and I wanted to continue.

"At the end I knew the players and supporters were with me even if the club was not."

European meet

Meanwhile, Juventus could play Chelsea in this year's UEFA Champions League and Ranieri is hoping the two are paired together.

"I would love to play Chelsea," he said.

"I want to take Juventus to Stamford Bridge, not out of revenge or spite, but just to show the fans and players, and the club, that this is what I do now and this is the team I have built - on a budget."

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11854_3941683,00.html

would eb great for the tinkerman to come back to the bridge

Gotta love Claudio!

Would love to see Juve play chelsea, although we would bring the tinkerman crashing down to earth when we ruin his budget team.

Nothing wrong with what he has said there. He takes a little swipe, but I still love Claudio to death, and that is classic Ranieri: he is too honest for his own good.

I really hope he wins the Scudetto for Juve.

I still feel a bit sorry for Claudio.

I still think that a huge amount of Mourinho's success with us was down to the squad that Claudio built before we had Roman's money, and had Roman had kept him, we would have won the Premiership under him in 04/05 (probably not as ruthlessly and efficiently as we did under Mourinho though).

Edited August 7, 200817 yr by TomP

I thought Watneys Red Barrel had made a come back there, "cloudy still bitter"

Seriously, one of the worst sackings of a manager in history that and Ruud and Luca

Claudio Ranieri's Blue and White Army!!!!!!

Claudio Ranieri's Blue and White Army!!!!!!

His reaction to Bridges goal at Highbury was legendary!!!!

Even for a ''walkie dead man''

http://www4.talksport.net/mediaplayer/medi...amp;mediaType=1 a good interview with Claudio, interestingly he contradicts Skysports report that he wants to meet us in the champions league stating in the final but not before.

His reaction to Bridges goal at Highbury was legendary!!!!

Even for a ''walkie dead man''

And the final whistle

That was such a big turning point emotionally not just for him but for everyone invovled in the club, still one of my best Chelsea memories up there with big cup wins.

Invincibles my Ars*

Shame he went barking in Monaco

Shame that Jose has inherited a much stronger squad than Ranieri has, would love to see Claudio f**king destroy him in the league :D