Juventus today pipped Manchester City to the signature of
Claudio Ranieri, appointing him as the club's coach on a three-year
deal. Ranieri, who resigned from his position as Parma coach last
Thursday, had been linked with the City job following Stuart
Pearce's departure from Eastlands. However, with uncertainty
growing as to a potential takeover at City, Ranieri has instead
opted to stay in Serie A with newly-promoted Juve.
"For Juventus, this an authoritative choice fully in line with the
company's objectives and tradition," read a club statement. "A man
of international experience and vision, he is able to embody the
aims of the mid-term development plan approved by the board of
directors. With Claudio Ranieri, a season with a wealth of
ambitions and new opportunities opens up."
Gérard Houllier is now the bookmakers' favourite to succeed Pearce,
ahead of Sven-Goran Eriksson, the Derby manager Billy Davies and
the Sevilla coach Juande Ramos.
Wow, he now got a bigger job than
Chelsea... 
He is a nice guy so... Happy for him.
