Claudio Ranieri, the veteran Italian coach, recently shared his thoughts on football management and the state of Italian soccer. Speaking at an event where he received an award from the Italian Coaches` Association, Ranieri offered valuable insights into his coaching philosophy and observations on tactical approaches across different countries.
Ranieri emphasized the importance of honesty and direct communication with players. He explained his approach to addressing mistakes, preferring one-on-one conversations and focusing on positive reinforcement. “Showing players what they did right is even more important than criticizing their errors,” Ranieri stated.
The 73-year-old coach, who began his managerial career in 1986, highlighted the need for continuous learning and adaptation in the ever-evolving world of football. He shared his practice of studying other coaches` methods during periods between jobs, stressing the importance of keeping an open mind.
Drawing from his extensive international experience, Ranieri compared tactical approaches in different countries. He noted that Italian football tends to be overly focused on tactics, sometimes to the detriment of talented players. “In England and France, tactics are important, but not as dominant as in Italy,” he observed. Ranieri suggested that Italian football could benefit from a more flexible approach, balancing tactical discipline with individual creativity.
Reflecting on his remarkable achievement with Leicester City, where he led the team to an unlikely Premier League title in 2016, Ranieri expressed hope for similar fairy tales in the future. “I hope another team finds its north star and, in the same season, the other big clubs aren`t as consistent as usual. This is the beauty of football,” he remarked.
Ranieri`s comments offer a unique perspective on the challenges and joys of football management, blending traditional Italian tactical rigor with insights gained from his international experiences. His desire to see more unexpected success stories in football underscores his enduring passion for the sport and its capacity to inspire and surprise.