Ranieri holds no grudges

25 February 2009 12:06
Claudio Ranieri insists he harbours no ill-feelings towards his former employers Chelsea.[LNB] The Italian is set to go head-to-head with the Blues on Wednesday as his current club, Juventus, arrive in England for the first leg of a last-16 encounter in the UEFA Champions League.[LNB]Ranieri enjoyed four successful years at Stamford Bridge between 2000 and 2004, guiding the club to the semi-finals of the Champions League in his final season and helping to lay the foundations for the success which would follow under Jose Mourinho.[LNB]Ranieri believes he would have been sacked regardless of what he achieved with Chelsea following Roma Abramovich's arrival at the club and, as a result, insists he holds no grudge against the Blues supremo.[LNB]"Even if we had won (the Champions League), I knew that my days were numbered but I actually liked that," said Ranieri.[LNB]"I never gave up, and that is part and parcel of my character.[LNB]"I don't think I've written much in the pages of history while I was here, though they were wonderful years, all of them, especially the third year.[LNB]"We didn't spend a penny in the third year and got into the Champions League.[LNB]"Of course, once Roman Abramovich bought the club, it was almost like fantasy football in the fourth year, and we could spend money on whoever we wanted, even if we could only do that from June, so that was a bit late.[LNB]"But that's history. We can't change that now."[LNB]MoneyRanieri also believes that Chelsea must avoid the temptation to continuously splash the cash on established performers and instead focus on nurturing the talent already at their disposal.[LNB]"I agree with Sir Alex Ferguson when he says football is changing here in England," he added.[LNB]"In the past, one would have had time to build a team, bring in young players, get them experience.[LNB]"Everyone wants to win, but there can only be one winner. We've seen new owners come in and put their money in and they want an instant return.[LNB]"But football isn't like that. You need time for players to bed in, to make their mark and for a manager to make his impact felt.[LNB]"Money helps to buy players, but it's not all about money. Money isn't what makes you win, which is probably just as well."[LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports