Claudio Ranieri confirms he knows mystery Roma managerial replacement - but it won't be Liverpool legend Jurgen Klopp

Ranieri is set to bid adieu to football management after Roma's final Serie A fixture this season, which has sparked links to several managers, including Liverpool icon Jurgen Klopp, to be linked to the job. The veteran Italian head coach has now publicly quashed all rumours surrounding Klopp's arrival and confirmed that he already knows which manager will succeed him at the helm next season.

Ranieri returned for his third stint at the Stadio Olimpico in November and inspired an incredible turnaround in fortunes, guiding Roma to a comprehensive 19-game unbeaten streak in Serie A. That run included 14 wins and five draws, which propelled the club into and around the Champions League spots.

However, the Premier League-winning coach will not remain in the dugout next season as he will be calling it quits from coaching. Several names, such as Como's Cesc Fabregas, Klopp, as well as former Ajax and Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag, were reported to be on Roma's radar. Klopp's signing has already been ruled out by his representative Marc Kosicke earlier this week, who said that the news of the German joining Roma was "not true." But while Ranieri will step away from management, he is believed to be involved in the recruitment of the upcoming Roma head coach, working with sporting director Florent Ghisolfi.

Speaking to La Repubblica (h/t Roma Press), Ranieri said: “The new coach? My brother called me and said, 'But will you at least tell me? Everyone asks me!' And I said, 'That’s why I’m not telling you, so the word doesn’t get around'. I also said to [Antonello] Venditti (Italian singer and Ranieri's close friend): 'You’ll know on July 1st'. He said, 'But if he arrives in July, he doesn’t know the players'. 'I’ll explain them to him,' I told him.

“The agreement with the new coach is already in place. The president will decide when to announce his appointment,” Ranieri added.

A Champions League spot is still up for grabs for the Giallorossi, who will take on Torino away from home on Sunday, May 25. A win will not be enough, though, as they will also need Juventus to lose their game against Venezia. Ranieri's men are currently in fifth place with 65 points, two points behind Juve.