The Italian job? Now the Azzurri want Claudio Ranieri to win them the World Cup

LEICESTER face a fight to hang on to victorious boss Claudio Ranieri after Italy’s Football President declared: “We want him!”
Carlo Tavecchio hopes to replace Antonio Conte with the 64-year-old Leicester boss and has made his intentions quite clear.
Ranieri was making a hero’s return to Rome to be presented with top Italian football honour the Bearzot, which is sponsored by the association.

Ranieri with Italian Olympic commitee officials Roberto Fabbricini and Giovanni Malago

The Leicester boss receives the Enzo Bearzot award for best Italian coach of the season

And Tavecchio used the occasion to step up his attempts to persuade the Premier League winner to replace Conte in the summer.
He said: “We hope Ranieri can win a World Championship with Italy, that would be the maximum.
“In Italy we honour the success of Claudio. The best thing that an Italian coach can do in club football is win the Premier League.
“This means we export the Italian style with style, competence, commitment and sense of duty.
“These are all features that recognise the man of Ranieri.”

We've done it...Ranieri and Leicester skipper Wes Morgan lift the Premier League trophy

King Ranieri...Kasper Schmeichel crowns his triumphant manager

 Conte is stepping down as Italy boss after two years at the end of Euro 2016 to take charge at Chelsea.
Ranieri was given a rousing reception by around 1,000 fans in the Italian capital before being presented with an award.
And it is clear the Italian FA are doing everything they can to get their man.
But Ranieri has previously declared he does not want another international job after his disaster with Greece.
He said last month: “The Italian national job? It is a closed chapter. I was already burned in Greece.”

And you did well, too...Ranieri salutes the Leicester fans

But he said: “Antonio is doing very well with the national team. He will do very well in France.
“To the Italy players I say: ‘Always believe and never give up.

“Honestly I still have not figured out how we won the league.
“It just happened. It’s never easy to win a league title in England.
“It is the most satisfying moment of my career and I have received letters from all around the world.”