Roma boss Claudio Ranieri provides latest update on announcement of new coach

Interim Roma boss Claudio Ranieri has revealed that the club is “really close” to announcing who their next manager for 2024/26 will be, following links with Erik ten Hag.

Ranieri was appointed to be in charge of the Serie A club until the end of this season after the club decided to part ways with club legend Daniele De Rossi after a series of poor results.

The former Chelsea and Leicester City boss will step away in the summer, with the club set to announce their new boss.

Ten Hag was at their game with Juventus last week and is said to know the Friedkin family owners.

Interim Roma boss Claudio Ranieri provides update on next Roma manager (Image by Getty Images)

The 73-year-old has been involved in the recruitment of his successor at Roma, working with sporting director Florent Ghisolfi.

Despite the Ten Hag links, the gaffer insists he has never met the Dutchman and subtly responded that he does not know him – with reports indicating that the pair had lunch together.

Ranieri told TMW: “Ghisolfi and I have followed the English model.

“We started with seven or eight candidates and reduced the list to three or four. It is close, really close.

” On Ten Hag, he added: “Do you believe that I don’t know him? I’ve never met him.

“I’ve read that I had dinner with him, but, believe me, I’ve never met him.

“I am convinced a good coach will arrive.”

Ranieri has placed Roma in contentions to qualify for Champions League football since returning to the club for the third time in November 2024.

The “I Giallorossi” Have won 11 of their last 15 league games, drawing the other four – they sit seventh, four points off fourth position with seven games to play, and take on Lazio in a derby game on Sunday.