Claudio Ranieri (eBook)

INTRODUCTION

In early May of 2016, followers of the global sports scene had just one question in mind: How did Ranieri manage to become king of the Premier League?

This eleven-word question coincides with the greatest miracle that has ever taken place in the world of football teams. A team and a coach who had been nearly forgotten a year earlier had ultimately achieved the impossible by claiming the title of the toughest league on the planet.

Everyone began to realize that something was changing for Leicester some time before the miracle even occurred.

In the magical world of English football, this is not the first time that a Cinderella has become queen; Kenny Dalglish had achieved something similar with Blackburn in 1994-1995.

However, it is the first time in the history of the sport that the entire football world wanted this Cinderella to take the throne. And it wanted this to happen because her prince, Claudio Ranieri, and his knights had, in their own inimitable fashion, initiated the entire football kingdom into the cult of his Cinderella.

Before winning the title, Blackburn made a record transfer by acquiring Alan Shearer, and spent huge sums in order to get that extra push. Ranieri’s Leicester had a budget that was even lower than Sunderland’s and Watford’s but her story had the fairytale ending it deserved, as anyone who fully embraced the spirit of this team knew that it would. It became a symbol for faith and the right to dream about life, work, and day-to-day reality, simply by doing it in her own way, guided by optimism and fellowship among players. One for all and all for their leader.

It did not take long for that leader to gain recognition and this is Ranieri’s greatest achievement. This is the message he created by following his path and maintaining his attitude. There is a sense of dignity and honesty in everything that he does, both within and apart from Leicester. He remained goal-oriented throughout his own journey of self-improvement and self-fulfillment in the world of English football; he went from being the Tinkerman with Chelsea in 2004 to becoming the Thinkerman with Leicester in 2016.

His confidence and devotion became known to all parts of the world, his infectious positive energy lifting the spirits of many and sending one single message: that we too can reach out and touch a miracle, even when it seems that all odds are against us.

Over the last two years, I met and interviewed Claudio Ranieri during the two most crucial moments of his coaching career. The first during the lowest—we met shortly before his catastrophic experience coaching the Greek National Team, on the eve of the game against the Faroe Islands—and the latter at his most glorious—a few weeks before he was crowned King of the Premier League. He was exactly the same: a man with a plan and a very structured way of thinking. Only his emotions, so clearly etched on his face, were different; peaceful in Leicester, horrified by the defeat in Rome.

He remains a true gentleman, principled and direct in both thought and speech. A balanced man, unwavering in his ideas. It took two years to go from abject sorrow to utter joy; from complete doubt to universal acceptance. Life plays strange games and Claudio Ranieri’s journey over the last two years was one of them.

The book you hold in your hands is a record of the stories from those whose lives have been touched by Ranieri’s miracle with Leicester, from the players to the Thai tycoon who owns the British team; from his close associates to Peter, the Italian pizza man who saw his life change since Ranieri started treating his squad to pizza after every match they were not scored against; from local small businessmen to the street vendors outside the King Power Stadium.

It can be seen as a young persons’ guide to the strange world of football. From Ranieri’s adventure they can learn that nothing is impossible when you keep the faith, have willpower, and are committed in all you do. It contains previously unpublished accounts of the Italian coach’s course over the last two years and of coincidences that almost border on the supernatural. It’s a thrilling story full of imagination and excitement but also his characteristic modesty: from the experience of crushing defeat to conquering the Premier League and eventually ultimate recognition for a man who performed miracles after having experienced disappointment on the bench of another team.

This man, who brought happiness to all those around him and gained the highest seal of approval, is Claudio. An honorable man now worshiped in every part of the world for his originality and diversity all the way from the small town of Leicester to Bangkok, Rome, Athens, and New York.

His own success has inspired people to believe in themselves, attain their own goals, and see life in a different light. He made people happy with the miracle of Leicester City yet he has always remained genuine. Never for even a moment did he let his newfound glory change him. He has remained confident and wise and consistently creative. A daring but conscientious man with the effortless grace of a British noble. He has provided an example worth following by all those who aspire to reach the top.

It is not an easy task to assess all of Ranieri’s achievements from the last two years in a concrete fashion. Something new always arises, no matter how many things one discovers. With his trademark positivity he was able to effect the transformation of an objectively negative experience into a miracle. However, his story is not just about the miracle itself that had the world’s attention transfixed on the football scene, it is also about his ability to alter the perception of the sport itself. His story epitomizes the victory of all those who really struggle to accomplish what they desire at some point in their lives.

From July 25, 2014, when the official announcement was made that he would be coaching the national team of Greece, until the time Leicester conquered the Premier League, Ranieri had been on an upward journey. Through the stories of those who were around him during that time—those whose lives he changed—we learn that he was always the key. He is given credit for the greatest part of their success.

The international media presented the miracle of Leicester as one of 2016’s most amazing moments. Everyone set out to discover the secret of his success. Ranieri achieved the unexpected because he didn’t work in stereotypical ways. He thought outside of the box in such a way that he was able to fire up his players’ belief in themselves. The established perception and image of English football was completely turned on its head during the 2015-2016 season.

The teams of the Premier League implement specific tactics in order to reach the top. Money is the driving force. He knew this well from his experience on the benches of other great teams, where he had managed huge budgets. When it came to managing Leicester, he knew that he was taking the risk of following practices, which, in different times, may not have allowed him to remain on the bench of a Premier League club for a long time.

He immediately agreed to keep on the previous coach’s associates and only brought his fitness trainer with him. This was his first internal victory. He collaborated with people he had never met before. He was recommended several assistants and had to figure out right away who was really going to be of value to him, thus saving precious time.

He never disturbed his new team’s daily equilibrium; instead, he followed the regimen that had been established by his predecessors because he was reluctant to risk anything by making drastic changes. He knew that by keeping the key links of the chain intact, he would be able to make it stronger. He allowed his mind to think freely and never imprisoned it within traditional, conventional ideas and solutions like those taught in coaching schools. Ranieri stepped outside the ordinary and worked with what he learned from experience. He trusted his instincts.

The players were given two days off per week so they could unwind after the intense matches. During the season, they were given a week off so that they could go on holiday. People thought he was insane and judged him for this decision. The usual strategy in professional football leagues is to literally not give the players any room to catch a breath. They are put through double and triple training sessions throughout the season and are expected to perform like robots. Ranieri’s players were just regular people. Athletes with their ups and downs. Ranieri bucked the system by applying innovative strategies. This could have been his downfall, but things turned out otherwise.

As a matter of fact, taking that risk led to celebration later. He chose freedom and authenticity and did not restrict himself to established rules, even in seemingly little things, which made all the difference in the end. He did so with sensitivity and trust in his beloved players.

Displaying his trademark maturity and responsibility, he did not attempt to force them to follow a strict diet when they went home. He gave each player the freedom to choose their own meals. He trusted their own judgement, and they returned that trust. He gave them freedom in their choices every step of the way of their...