Ex-Leicester City man Danny Drinkwater: “Sir Claudio will do one last feat.”

Former Leicester City midfielder, Danny Drinkwater, one of the key players in Ranieri’s Premier League-winning squad in 2015-16 spoke about the ex Foxes manager.

In an interview with Corriere dello Sport, Drinkwater was asked about Ranieri and what he thinks the technician will be able to do in this difficult third spell at Roma.

“I had a fantastic relationship with Ranieri during my time at Leicester,” said Drinkwater. “We had a harmony that went beyond the simple comparison between player and coach, he is a person with whom you can confide, discuss and reflect not only on football topics.”

“I can simply say that for me he was like a father, a grandfather and a friend, as well as a top-level coach who led us to win a championship.”

“He was very good at managing all the players well with the various needs that we naturally had, both physical and mental. An extremely important thing for me but also for the other guys was the relationship he created.”

“Right away we had some nice conversations in which he told me what he expected from me, how he wanted me to play, where I could improve.”

“He always managed to maintain maximum concentration but at the same time he transmitted serenity to us,” he continued.

“As we won matches and as the idea of ​​being able to go all the way became more and more concrete, Ranieri still managed to maintain a relaxed, calm environment, free from tension, fear, and the thought that that dream would shatter at any moment.”

“But then when he asked us to push, we all transformed and a fire was lit inside us that made us the strongest, both in training and in matches. I hope he can do the same at Roma too.”

“First of all Claudio is a great man, and I think this is the most important aspect in life but also in football. Because otherwise he would not have been able to accomplish this masterpiece. Then he is a great coach, and this is linked to his human qualities.”

“It’s really nice to see him back in the colours of the club he loves, I’m sure the players will think the same,” he added.

“I hope he can take the club where it deserves to be: in Europe absolutely, but Roma is a club that should always be in the Champions League. He will succeed in this last feat.”