‘Still young’ Ranieri raring to go
LONDON: Watford’s new manager Claudio Ranieri celebrates his 70th birthday next Wednesday but said he is still young enough to take on the challenge of keeping the club in the Premier League.
Ranieri arrives at Vicarage Road as successor to Xisco Munoz after the Spaniard left Watford seven games into the season.
The Italian, who led Leicester City to a shock league title in 2015-16 and last worked in England’s top flight during the 2018-19 campaign with Fulham, said he is looking forward to his Premier League return and outlined his ambition for Watford.
“I never give up. I have a strong character, I am still young and I want to continue,” Ranieri told a news conference on Wednesday ahead of his first game in charge against Liverpool.
“I’m very happy to come back to the Premier League, one of the best leagues in the world. I’m an ambitious man and I hope to keep Watford safe this season.”
Watford are 15th in the Premier League with seven points from as many games.
They host Liverpool tomorrow, before further league fixtures against Everton, Southampton, Arsenal and Manchester United.
Ranieri is the 13th managerial appointment in nine years for the club’s owner Gino Pozzo from Italy, who fired Munoz earlier this month.
However, Ranieri said he is not concerned about the managerial turnover at the club.
“In Italy, it is normal to change managers [frequently]. I can’t think about previous managers and Xisco was my player in Valencia, I hope he can find a new solution very soon. But now, I have to do my best for Watford,” the Italian added.
“We have to be safe and then slowly we go up. Forty points we have to achieve and next season 41, then 42 and 43. On Saturday, there will be one of the best teams in the world. It will be a battle, and we will battle.”
Earlier, Ranieri said he did not expect an easy ride at the Premier League club but while there will be some defeats along the way, they can also deliver surprises when the season resumes after the international break.
“Look, I’m sure we’ll lose some matches. We can make some surprises,” Ranieri said.
“All the matches are difficult. It’s not the name of the opponents, but the Premier League, and you never know what will happen.”
Ranieri said he had good memories of Leicester’s triumph but was focused on the future.
“It’s not important what I did. What I want to do is important,” he said.
Ranieri said he was delighted to be back.
“In my opinion it’s one of the best, if not the best league in the world. All the big champions are here and, of course, the big managers,” Ranieri said.
“I’m very pleased to come back, to come to Watford.”
Ranieri was sacked by Leicester City in 2017, nine months after leading them to a fairytale Premier League.
Since then he has had spells at Nantes, Fulham, Roma and Sampdoria with varying degrees of success.