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Claudio Ranieri: Fulham manager tells fans 'not to think about the miracle'

Last updated on .From the section Fulhamcomments30

Welcome back to the Premier League, Ranieri

Premier League-winning former Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri has told Fulham fans not to "think about the miracle".

The Italian is focused on leading the Cottagers to safety after succeeding Slavisa Jokanovic as manager this week.

Ranieri, who led Leicester to a shock title win in 2016, takes charge with the club bottom of the table and three points adrift of 17th place.

"There will be a lot of battles and it's important to be ready together - the club, players, fans," he said.

"Together they have to support us in a bad moment. And this is a bad moment, because Fulham is at the bottom.

"But when I took over at Parma in February they were in the same condition and we saved the team."

Parma were second from bottom in Serie A when Ranieri was appointed in 2007, and the former Chelsea boss led them to a 12th-placed finish.

New Fulham manager Claudio Ranieri at Craven Cottage
Fulham are the 14th club side Ranieri has managed

Ranieri's first game in charge will see Fulham host Southampton at Craven Cottage on Saturday, 24 November.

That will be his first match as a Premier League manager since leaving Leicester in February 2017.

Reflecting on the Foxes' title success, he said: "That was a bonus, a fairytale. But it is important we don't think about the miracle. We must work hard."

Ranieri spent last season as manager of French side Nantes, and said he had watched "some" of Fulham's games this season.

"I have learned to forget what happened yesterday, I always look forward," Ranieri said.

"I watched some games and said 'this team has enough quality to be safe', but now I need a fighting spirit. Quality with fighting spirit. We can do a good job.

"If there is only quality, without organisation, defensive tactics, then it's difficult to help the players maintain a clean sheet.

"Now for me it's important to put in the brain of my players this philosophy. Play football, play well, but when you lose the ball I want to see you with an anchor, like pirates."

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30 comments

  • Comment posted by D1710644553139, at 18:25 16 Nov 2018

    Glad to see him back managaing in the PL, should never of gotten the chop at Leicester after winning the PL.
    No doubt he'll be getting a massive reception when he returns to King Power, but I guess it'll also be an emotional one too.

    Welcome back Ranieri

  • Comment posted by fiddley, at 18:58 16 Nov 2018

    A bit of dilly ding here and a bit of dilly dong there and Fulham will be just fine! Glad to see him back :)

  • Comment posted by Marty A, at 19:09 16 Nov 2018

    As a Foxes fan. Fulham is now my second team. It’s great to see the gentleman back. Welcome back Claudio. We still miss you!

  • Comment posted by hardhit, at 18:45 16 Nov 2018

    Still fans would not know why Ranieri was sacked? I think he will work quietly to get cottagers out of trouble

  • Comment posted by JCB, at 19:44 16 Nov 2018

    Fulham could be most fans second team now. Good luck Claudio.

  • Comment posted by 1947, at 20:11 16 Nov 2018

    I'm with Marty. The secret to Claudio's success @ Leicester was his sense of humour, His ability to motivate the players, To get the fans behind him & To keep a settled side. He made the fewest changes to the team that season.

    I wish him all the success @ Fulham & a great welcome from me when he brings his team to King Power. In 2015/16 season he made my dreams finally come true

  • Comment posted by D1679388525133, at 18:50 16 Nov 2018

    He's already lined up Tailor, Soldier & Spy for January

  • Comment posted by Marty A, at 20:52 16 Nov 2018

    Well said 1947 :-)

  • Comment posted by Commentator1005, at 18:41 16 Nov 2018

    @2

    Woah, that's one very controversial comment you've made there.

    I respect your right to free speech but others are likely going to want to censor you believing it to be a disrespectful comment.

    I appreciate people who tell it like it is though. We'd end corruption in football overnight if there were less 'charismatic leaders' and more blunt 'results come first' types around.

  • Comment posted by 1947, at 20:18 16 Nov 2018

    Think that comment by BLACKWOODBLOOOBIRD should have been sensored. NO reason for that sort of language

  • Comment posted by Gruntfuttock, at 21:12 16 Nov 2018

    @1947
    '..obviously a spurs fan..' Irrational comment - no reason for it. (Obviously biased against said team).

  • Comment posted by 3robert3, at 23:39 16 Nov 2018

    Good luck Claudio,such a nice gentleman !

  • Comment posted by Jabber, at 22:58 16 Nov 2018

    Nigel Pearson was the reason Leicester won the Premiership? LOL
    The only thing he swept up was the Stands!
    Soooooo many clubs queing up to have him as manager......not!
    The very best of luck Claudio!! Great man, talented coach

  • Comment posted by D1710709560203, at 21:12 16 Nov 2018

    Fulham are fortunate to have Ranieri. To say Pearson led Leicester to PL glory is abhorrent. Ostrich guided them to 14th in the table, so there!

  • Comment posted by 1947, at 20:22 16 Nov 2018

    Think that comment by "blackwoodbloooobird" should have been sensored. No reason for that sort of comment. Obviously a spurs fan

  • Comment posted by Royal Villa Lion, at 22:37 17 Nov 2018

    @29 Leave the whites alone child. They are a good club with a solid fanbase. Unlike you spoilt br ats that throw cabbages at your own manager then celebrate when he is sacked.

    Hope Fulham stay up and thanks for keeping these delusional melts (vile) in their place back in May. Miss our away days v you - proper fans proper club.

  • Comment posted by User0832496258, at 16:55 17 Nov 2018

    The miracle was you lot getting up at wembley against our far more deserving, superior massive club. Problem was our manager was a dinosaur. Jedinak is not a CB. JG is now Deano's dream promo boy.

    Dillydingdong is no Yippee Yar Yay. You lot kicked ourJack off the park. We replace you in May. Then the brain cell locks "mind the gap" we nailed them 4-1 as we just did the sheep 3-0

    VTID

  • Comment posted by KH1984, at 21:16 16 Nov 2018

    Not "Well said" 1947
    Completely disagree with the comment by Blackwoodbloobird. However for you to slate another club's fans by advising "Obviously a spurs fan" shows your level of immaturaty.
    From a Spurs Fan. Ranieri has a lot to give and if he can get anywhere near the Team spirit he produced at Leicester for their deserved season title win, well good luck to him and Fulham FC

  • Comment posted by ForestForever, at 22:31 16 Nov 2018

    Don't think about any miracles...

    Just think how nice it'll be once you return to championship football next season.

    #GoingDOWN

  • Comment posted by Red Star, at 21:53 16 Nov 2018

    Hr stinks... already.