Champions League - Ranieri to bury hatchet

Eurosport - Wed, 25 Feb 19:32:00 2009

Juventus boss Claudio Ranieri will offer Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich a friendly handshake at their Champions League clash even though the Russian sacked him in 2004.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 Champions League Juventus Chelsea-Juventus Ranieri - 0

Ranieri was Blues boss when Abramovic bought the club in 2003 but was fired at the end of the season despite leading Chelsea to the Champions League semi-final and a second-placed Premier League finish.

The Italian, currently manager of Juventus, has insisted that he holds no hard feelings towards Abramovich ahead of their match at Stamford Bridge.

"Of course I will shake his hand," said Ranieri. "The last time I saw him was in the dressing room and he told me this would always be home to me.

"Even if we had won (the Champions League), I knew that my days were numbered - but I actually liked that.

"I never gave up, and that is part and parcel of my character. I don't think I've written much in the pages of history while I was here, though they were wonderful years."

Blues midfielder Frank Lampard, meanwhile, hailed the effect of the man who signed him on the club's legacy.

"He should take credit," said Lampard. "He brought a lot of important players to the team.

"He signed good players even before the Roman Abramovich era. He elevated John Terry to captain and he's become one of the best in the world since.

"He took Chelsea from a side that finished in the top six to one that finished in the top four. I don't think I would be sitting here if hadn't been for him."

Reda Maher / Eurosport

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    From , on Thu 26 Feb 11:26AM

  2. Ya to Tony H you are such a Racist

    From timi, on Wed 25 Feb 8:06PM

  3. Ya Tony H F**king Racist

    From timi, on Wed 25 Feb 8:05PM

  4. "Look at the dirty and smug­ players in their­ team, Drogba, Anelka, Kalou, Malouda." Tony­ H

    Racist, huh?

    From E, on Wed 25 Feb 7:36PM

  5. if your a true chelsea supporter you dont like any­ other prem team cos we are the chelsea and we are the­ best and you all know that anyway

    From marc e, on Wed 25 Feb 6:26PM

  6. Tony h !!! Dirty and smug???? let me guess scouse or­ Manure?

    From paul.lynch18, on Wed 25 Feb 6:23PM

  7. to Tony H, don't you get it man, like they are­ where they are in spite of Abromovich. He opened the­ money bags but doesn't have the basic football­ sense to realise that you are not going to win­ everything all of the time. Look at ManU, when Ferguson­ first started with them, he was close to getting the­ sack, but they hung on to him and look now....the most­ successful football coach in the modern era.
    Abromovich­ just doesn't understand it takes time. So good on­ ya Chelsea for being as good as you are despite who­ owns you.

    From edgar, on Wed 25 Feb 5:51PM

  8. ....how can you possibly only like Chelsea but no other­ premierhip team Av3ng3r? Do you wear blinkers? ­ Don't you realise how impatient and ignorant of­ team management Abramivich is? Chelski's recent­ history shows he doesn't give any Managersd a­ chance, except for Mourinho!
    Look at the dirty and smug­ players in their team, Drogba, Anelka, Kalou, Malouda.
    ­ At lest some prem teams play the game like it should­ be played.

    From Tony H, on Wed 25 Feb 5:22PM

  9. perhaps you should try the hog roasts inside the­ ground.they are awesome just like the famous chelsea.up­ the chels

    From marc e, on Wed 25 Feb 5:17PM

  10. I support Arsenal, but chelsea is the only other team I­ like in the premier that I have feelings for- my dad­ supports them- I hope they win tonight but it will be a­ very tough game.

    From Av3ng3r, on Wed 25 Feb 5:09PM

  11. there appears to be some rather thick and stupid people­ writing comments about something they know very little­ about.CHELSEA WILL FINISH IN THE TOP FOUR.

    From MICHAEL, on Wed 25 Feb 4:27PM

  12. Hey, I'm an open minded girl from UK, I'm­­­ interested in exotic things, photography, dating and­­­ sports...I have my photos on --- T a l l h u b Co m­­­ ---, I love tall guys!
    Do you love traveling and have­­­ some experience? Just find me out.

    From aifuson06, on Wed 25 Feb 3:27PM

  13. ridahjake.......your point is?

    From SANCHEZ, on Wed 25 Feb 3:20PM

  14. Calm down about the burgers!!

    From x_rageon_x, on Wed 25 Feb 2:47PM

  15. i'm the burger monster !!!!

    From ray.morrissey, on Wed 25 Feb 2:39PM

  16. i'm the burger monster !!!!

    From ray.morrissey, on Wed 25 Feb 2:39PM

  17. The best chelsea manager ever

    From Tom, on Wed 25 Feb 2:31PM

  18. I love burgers!!! Yum Yum Yum !!!!

    From ray.morrissey, on Wed 25 Feb 2:24PM

  19. Chelsea is going places. They are already rising from­ their sleep. Up BLUES.
    From Femi

    From ibk011, on Wed 25 Feb 2:21PM

  20. I think the burgers on the outside are great, but the­ ones on the inside are a bit ropey

    From ray.morrissey, on Wed 25 Feb 1:55PM
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