Ranieri unperturbed by Roma plight
Reuters - Tuesday 01 February 2011, 14:51
MILAN - AS Roma boss Claudio Ranieri is not
losing sleep over his uncertain future with the Serie A side set
to be finally sold in the coming weeks but had harsh words for
the current administration on Tuesday.
In a feisty news conference, Ranieri bemoaned Roma's
inactivity in the transfer window.
Ranieri risked the wrath of the current bosses by
criticising sporting director Daniele Prade over transfer policy
for the fifth-placed Serie A side.
"Prade said Milan and Inter needed reinforcements but us no?
I'm not in agreement," Ranieri said.
"They were already stronger than us and have more money to
invest. We at the moment can't pull out a penny."
Indebted Roma have been on the market for months with
creditor bank Unicredit and owners the Sensi family now close to
deciding who to sell to, with reports saying five binding offers
have come in including a bid from the Abu Dhabi Aaber fund.
A US consortium led by Thomas DiBenedetto and Italian
businessman Giampaolo Angelucci have also been linked with
offers for the club, whose share price shot up 4 percent on
Tuesday, but Ranieri is not losing any sleep over the matter.
"No, I'm not giving something more for the new owner, I have
always given my utmost for everyone, for myself, for the players
and for Roma," he said ahead of Wednesday's Serie A match with
Brescia.
"If I don't form part of the plans of the future owners I
will not get angry, I've done my bit. I welcome even foreign
investors, but with the right strategy for the good of Roma.
"Sure, it's clear money counts, look at what Chelsea have
presented to my friend Ancelotti."
Ancelotti, whose side bought Spain striker Fernando Torres
from Liverpool on Monday for £50 million, has been
mentioned in the media as a possible successor to Ranieri given
the London side's troubles this season and his love for former
club Roma.