Ex-Parma coach Claudio Ranieri was named head coach of Juventus on Monday. It had been rumored that the former Chelsea manager would start his next job at Manchester City, but few would argue that Juve is a better opportunity. Despite the club’s dramatic fall from grace last season, the head post at Juventus is still one of the most prestigious and pressure-filled jobs in world soccer. The Turin giant is perhaps Italy’s most storied club — it’s certainly the most successful for the last 20 years — and few would bet against the Old Lady vying for the title at the end of next season, too.
Didier Deschamps, who announced his resignation shortly after guiding Juve back to the top flight, took charge last summer after a sports tribunal banished the club from Serie A for organizing an extensive match-fixing ring. In its statement, the club described Ranieri, who this season saved Parma from relegation after taking over in February, as “a man of international experience and vision.” Former Juve coach Marcello Lippi had been widely tipped as the frontrunner to succeed Deschamps, but the World Cup winner opted to remain in retirement. Juventus have given Ranieri a three-year contract.