Ranieri: ‘Luckily’ young Italian footballers get playing outside Serie A
BERGAMO, ITALY - MAY 12: Claudio Ranieri, Head Coach of AS Roma looks on prior to the Serie A match between Atalanta and AS Roma at Gewiss Stadium on May 12, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Italy technical director Claudio Ranieri is focused on developing young players, but insists youth coaches must be paid more and notes that, ‘luckily’, many youngsters are gaining valuable playing time abroad.
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Ranieri spoke to reporters from Rome, just a few hours before Italy’s game against Belgium in the Nations League.
“Mancini is thrilled; he cares about starting well, and he knows it’s important for everyone,” Ranieri said.
What Ranieri said ahead of Italy vs. Belgium
The former Roma boss was appointed as Italy’s technical director in July, replacing Paolo Maldini after just two weeks.
“It’s nice because I do a lot of things, there’s so much work to do, and luckily I have many collaborators who can help me,” Ranieri said.
“I don’t scout players, but we have a staff that provides updates on everything and everyone. We are doing great things. You don’t see them. We see the first team, and we hope we can do well tonight.”
Ranieri, however, spoke with some players with dual citizenship, such as Alessandro Romano, who then agreed to represent Italy at a senior level.
“Thanks to Mancini, I spoke to the lads who were torn between our country and others,” Ranieri said.
“Many have joined, and this pleases the national team. I just talked to them.”
At his unveiling press conference less than two months ago, Ranieri said the cost of football academies is often too high for many families, so fewer kids play football than in the past.
“Nowadays, kids don’t play in the streets anymore; they are busy with many other things, like PlayStation,” he added today.
“I’d like to see them play in the streets. We’ll have to talk. I’ve been invited to the senate to talk about this. The kids must be helped, especially those from five to 12-13 years old. We must improve the teachers and coaches in the youth sectors and pay them more, because some coaches earn a miserable wage in an age range that is too important.
“Boskov said many years ago that, in his Yugoslavia, coaches working with young players were the highest paid. Well, we must try to find the money for these masters, who must improve this kid from five to 13 years old.
“Another difficulty is that when they turn 18 or 19, have a chance to fulfil their potential. Luckily, many young players are signed by foreign clubs, so they get playing time.”
Concerns are growing that Giovanni Malagò will lose his spot as FIGC President in a few weeks, with CONI and the Italian Government looking to appoint a special commissioner for the Italian FA. This, however, doesn’t affect Ranieri and Mancini’s work.
“No. We go ahead,” Ranieri said.
“I’m a man of the field, and we have to do well on the field. The others must do what they feel is right.
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