Ranieri: “I’m in love with my players, but I want even more from them”

Claudio Ranieri was in bullish mood as we caught up with him for his first interview of the 2020/21 season on Thursday.

“We’re working to start strongly – we don’t want to suffer like we did last season,” said Ranieri. “This team played in various different systems last season. I’m not wedded to one particular system – I’m in love with my players. I expect 100% from them and that’s what I got last season, but this year we’re even more determined.”

Ranieri also expressed his hope that football fans will be able to come back to stadiums as soon as – safely – possible.

“It will be a strange season until the fans are allowed back into stadiums,” said the coach. “It’s football without flavour when the fans aren’t there. You play for the fans – to be carried by them and to carry them with you.”