'Not true!' - Claudio Ranieri denies calling Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti over taking on Roma job in defiant message to media

Ranieri came out of retirement in November and returned to Roma after the Serie A side fired Ivan Juric following a nightmare start to the 2024-25 season. The former Leicester City boss has somewhat steadied the sinking ship. However, Ranieri does not plan on staying in the job for too long.

As such, it is likely that Roma will be on the lookout for a new coach for next season and reports in December suggested that Ranieri had personally called Ancelotti to convince the Real Madrid boss to shift over to Italy and take over from him at the Giallorossi. But Ranieri has denied this took place.

When asked about reports of him contacting Ancelotti, Ranieri responded: "All the reports about me calling Carlo Ancelotti to become next Roma manager starting from next season are not true. These stories are wide of the mark."

Ranieri's Roma are back in action on Sunday when they host bitter rivals Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico.