Leeds receive boost in quest to land Claudio Ranieri

Championship side Leeds United have received a welcome boost in their quest to appoint Claudio Ranieri as their new manager, according to TuttoSport (via Sport Witness).

The Yorkshire outfit are without a head coach following the surprise resignation of Garry Monk last month, with the 38-year-old unable to agree a long-term deal with new owner Andrea Radrizzani despite leading the side to their best Championship finish since 2011.

And attentions have since turned to who might take over from the former Swansea boss at Elland Road, with names such as Aitor Karanka, Pep Clotet, and Ranieri linked with the vacant managerial post.

And their chances of persuading former Leicester manager Ranieri to take over may have taken a turn for the better, as reports in Italy suggest that Serie A outfit Cagliari, another club linked with a move for Ranieri this summer, will not be dispensing with their current boss.

Manager Massimo Rastelli led the side to an 11th place finish in the Italian top-flight this summer, and although speculation has been building about his future, the club’s owner Tommaso Giulini has confirmed that he’ll remain in charge.

He said: ‘No, no, Rastelli remains.’

These comments will surely interest Leeds fans, who have seen 65-year-old Ranieri linked with the manager’s post at Elland Road, yet still remain without a manager over a week since Monk’s resignation.

And having led Leicester to the most unlikely of Premier League title successes in 2016, Ranieri clearly has the pedigree to succeed in the Leeds post, and with Cagliari not on the lookout for a new boss, there is an increased chance that he’ll take over at Elland Road.