Despite Juventus’ current crisis, Antonio Labbate insists that the club shouldn’t rue the departure of Claudio Ranieri on the eve of his return to Turin
“If only Claudio Ranieri was still in charge…” We’ve all heard that in recent weeks, with greater regularity as Juventus have slumped deeper into crisis while Roma have been resurrected from the ruins. It’s an inevitable remark to make in the current circumstances, but also a simplistic statement which glosses over the reality of the Tinkerman’s time in Turin.
Granted, Ranieri would probably have got more out of this present Juventus side than Ciro Ferrara has, but the Roman is still rightly viewed as a tactician who sows seeds rather than reaps the rewards. His past spells at Valencia and Chelsea underline as much. That’s why he was such a good fit at Juventus, initially that is.
Back in Serie A following a year of purgatory in the second tier, Juve were not forced to battle for the Scudetto but simply required to get back into the Champions League, to be competitive again. Ranieri did that and he is to be applauded for his efforts, but a top three finish was no longer enough for a club with title ambitions.
Although sacked for picking up just six points from 21 available, you have to consider that Ranieri was axed because the club had doubts that he could lead a serious title charge in 2009-10 had they confirmed him during the summer.
That seems laughable now given that they took a gamble on Ciro, but factor out Ferrara in all of this. Ranieri wasn’t the right man for a rejuvenated Juventus who were about to spend big in the hope of once more picking up silverware at home and abroad.
He isn’t missed in Turin, despite the Old Lady’s crisis. No one chants his name with regret at the Olimpico these days, the local media certainly don’t rue his exit, the club directors had clear concerns about his ability and he hardly delivered champagne football at the foot of the Alps.
Ranieri, like Ferrara, also struggled to assimilate big summer signings into the first team. Remember Sergio Almiron, Tiago, Christian Poulsen? Where’s the evidence to suggest that he would know how to get the best out of Felipe Melo and Diego?
It’s clear that in a head-to-head battle that Ranieri is a more talented boss than Ferrara at present. Yet Juventus’ mistake was not in showing Claudio the door, but seemingly in the man they chose to replace him with.
Football-Italia
Juventus Group 
Posted on 21/01/2010
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