Claudio Ranieri leaving Cagliari and will retire

Claudio Ranieri is leaving Cagliari and will retire from football.

Ranieri made the decision after guiding Cagliari to Serie A safety last week.

The club announced: “Mister Ranieri bids farewell to Cagliari: In his two spells with the club, he always managed to lead the team to achieve their original objective. Already the mastermind behind two successive promotions in the past (from Serie C to Serie A) and survival in the top flight, in the last year-and-a-half, he has put together yet another masterpiece.

“It is the closure of a full circle. Staying up in Serie A, exactly like it was 31 years ago, again in Emilia-Romagna, one day before the end of the season.

“It's like we've been watching a movie, an Oscar-winning one, one that wins you over with their perfect screenplay. One of those that makes you laugh, but also moves you and makes you feel emotional.

“These are tears of joy and gratitude for the man who was able to write some of the most beautiful scripts in Cagliari's history. What he did will remain indelible in the hearts of every supporter."