Coach legend fights back tears
This European Cup moment touches hearts
05/06/2022 1:29 p.m
In the Champions League, miracles happen, in the Europa League Eintracht Frankfurt makes it to the final and in the Conference League, the emotional highlight of the semi-finals takes place in the Olympic Stadium in Rome. The spectators stand up for a legend in the middle of the game.
Claudio Ranieri is 70 years old – and a coaching legend. At least since he won one of the most unlikely titles in recent football history in 2016. Back then, he guided Leicester City to Premier League glory in Jurgen Klopp’s first year as Liverpool manager. Ten points clear of runners-up Arsenal.
At that time, the star of striker Jamie Vardy rose, N’Golo Kanté ruled in midfield, Robert Huth and former Schalke player Christian Fuchs played in defense, Kasper Schmeichel saved what came on his box and Ranieri stood on the sidelines, who became a club legend in just 18 months. Ranieri had other things to do when they became champions in front of the TV with Spurs’ draw at Chelsea in early May 2016.
“I’d love to see the game,” said Ranieri, who they christened “King Claudio” in Leicester, at the time. “But I’m on my way back from Italy. My mum is 96 and she would like to have lunch with her son. I’m sure I’ll be the last person in England to know.”
One fights back tears and one cries
Claudio Ranieri is one of those, who has gone through an incredible number of coaching positions in his career, usually not really making it, but left his mark with his humanity and even more so in Leicester. On Thursday, Leicester City played AS Roma in the UEFA Conference League, another club Ranieri once coached. Back then between 2009 and 2011 and again for a short time in 2019. The Italian, without a job since being kicked out at Watford in early January 2022, was at the stadium.
He was there as a fan. As someone who loves football. When the stadium cameras saw him in the Olympic Stadium and his picture was shown on the big screen, the fans rose from their seats. Leicester Foxes and Roma supporters applauded. They left an emotional Ranieri fighting back tears. Tears that later flowed from the current Rome coach José Mourinho and maybe even from Ranieri.
The native Roman had announced in advance that he would keep his fingers crossed for his heart club. Successful. After the 1-1 in the first leg, Roma handed a 1-0 (1-0) through an early goal by Englishman Tammy Abraham. Too much for the Portuguese Mourinho, who hasn’t had enough on the big stage of the Champions League for a long time, but who is now satisfied with the Conference League and overwhelmed by emotions.
Mourinho’s historic chance
“Why did I burst into tears? Because I feel what they all feel. It’s a big club without the trophy case for the club’s social importance,” Mourinho said of his tears for Roma, who only won the 1961 Fairs Cup won international titles. “It’s not a trophy yet, just a final. But it means a lot to them. My emotions were for them,” he added, looking at the 70,000 spectators in the stadium.
In the final on May 25 in Tirana, Mourinho is all about making history. The 59-year-old is the first coach to win the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League. He has won all four international finals to date: the 2003 UEFA Cup and 2004 Champions League finals with FC Porto, as well as the 2010 Champions League finals with Inter Milan and the 2017 Europa League finals with Manchester United. “I’ve been lucky enough to play in bigger and more prestigious finals than this one,” said Mourinho. “But how we have created a family atmosphere here gives me a special feeling.”
The opponent in Tirana? Feyenoord Rotterdam. The last time they were in the final of the UEFA Cup was in 2002. There they defeated Borussia Dortmund 3-2 in front of their home crowd. It was the day of the last tackle in the career of world champion Jürgen Kohler. But you can read about that here on Sunday. Thursday belonged to Claudio Ranieri.