Claudio Ranieri set to retire from football at 72 as legendary former Leicester boss steps down at Cagliari after steering Serie A club away from relegation zone

The seasoned Italian coach, renowned for his tactical acumen and leadership, will step down after Cagliari's final game of the season against Fiorentina on May 26. Sky Sports Italia has reported that Ranieri will call time on his managerial career once his latest stint at Cagliari officially draws to a close. Ranieri's second spell at Cagliari began last season when he led them to promotion from Serie B. His return was seen as a hopeful resurgence for the club, which he had previously managed in 1988.

However, the journey in the top-flight was far from easy. Cagliari struggled initially, securing just three points from their first nine matches in Serie A. The dismal start prompted Ranieri to offer his resignation, taking responsibility for the team's poor performance. Nevertheless, the club and its players persuaded him to stay until the end of the campaign. And, after ensuring Cagliari's top-flight status for at least one more season after beating Sassuolo 2-0, the manager has decided to call it quits, despite having one more year left in his current deal.

"I have decided to leave now and it is the right thing to do," Ranieri said after announcing his decision. "I do it reluctantly because it was a hard and painful decision, but I think it is right."

Cagliari released a statement thanking Ranieri for his work, which read: "Mister Ranieri bids farewell to Cagliari. In his two spells with the club, he always managed to lead the team to achieve their original objective. These are tears of joy and gratitude for the man who was able to write some of the most beautiful scripts in Cagliari's history. What he did will remain indelible in the hearts of every supporter."

Ranieri's illustrious career spans over four decades, during which he managed some of the biggest clubs in Europe. In Serie A, he took charge of giants like Juventus, AS Roma, and Inter Milan. However, he is best known internationally for his remarkable achievement with Leicester City, leading the underdog team to a fairytale Premier League title in the 2015-2016 season, a feat that stunned the football world. Besides his success at Leicester, Ranieri's managerial career includes stints at Chelsea, Fulham, and Watford, as well as Valencia and Atletico Madrid in Spain's La Liga.

As he prepares to step away from the touchline, Ranieri's legacy in football remains unmatched. His career is a testament to resilience, strategic brilliance, and the ability to achieve the extraordinary. From his early days in management to his historic triumph with Leicester City and his final act of salvation with Cagliari, Ranieri's journey has been nothing short of legendary.