Former AS Roma coach has branded Italian football as a hell after he was sacked as a manager from AS Roma ealier this month.
Claudio Ranieri guided AS Roma to second place in the Serie A last year, after taking over in 2009. However, he endured a tough time with Roma this season and was sacked earlier this month after a dismal run of form that left them languishing in mid table.
Now, Ranieri has launched a stinging attack on Italian Football, labeling it as a hell to be in.
"In football there is heaven and hell. You can decide where you want to stand between the two but compared to England, its hell here," he told Rai TV.
''I still want to coach. England fascinates me but I also like the Italian league. This year at Roma I became the only scapegoat but now there's them, the players, who must show everything."
Ranieri also criticized some of his former players for their attitude but refused to direct it to a specific person.
"This year too many people let their personal interests get in the way of those of the team," Ranieri added.
"When we spoke in the changing rooms everyone was agreed that we needed to rotate the team but then on the pitch when certain players were substituted ... Even now that I'm longer there, someone will have to sit on the bench.
"There are players who give 110% for one coach but then don't gel with another. Of course I believe that a good coach needs to make the most of each of his players' characteristics.
"But when I was a player I tried hard to understand what my coach wanted. I wasn't a great player but my motto was 'never give up'. That's like the English spirit, the players are lions and you have to hold them back. Here, this year with Roma I was disappointed that not every player had this spirit."
Now, Ranieri has launched a stinging attack on Italian Football, labeling it as a hell to be in.
"In football there is heaven and hell. You can decide where you want to stand between the two but compared to England, its hell here," he told Rai TV.
''I still want to coach. England fascinates me but I also like the Italian league. This year at Roma I became the only scapegoat but now there's them, the players, who must show everything."
Ranieri also criticized some of his former players for their attitude but refused to direct it to a specific person.
"This year too many people let their personal interests get in the way of those of the team," Ranieri added.
"When we spoke in the changing rooms everyone was agreed that we needed to rotate the team but then on the pitch when certain players were substituted ... Even now that I'm longer there, someone will have to sit on the bench.
"There are players who give 110% for one coach but then don't gel with another. Of course I believe that a good coach needs to make the most of each of his players' characteristics.
"But when I was a player I tried hard to understand what my coach wanted. I wasn't a great player but my motto was 'never give up'. That's like the English spirit, the players are lions and you have to hold them back. Here, this year with Roma I was disappointed that not every player had this spirit."
