Claudio Ranieri has been unveiled as the new manager of French club Nantes after signing a two-year contract.
The 65-year-old Italian, who famously led Leicester City to an improbable Premier League title triumph in 2016, was presented with the distinctive yellow shirt of the Ligue 1 club and toured their Stade de la Beaujoire home.
Ranieri was sacked by Leicester on February 23, with the club just one point above the relegation zone following a poor start to the domestic campaign.
He was officially confirmed as Nantes’ new manager on June 15, replacing the Portuguese Sergio Conceicao, who finished seventh in the French top flight last season.
There was a slight hold-up because the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), the French governing body, stipulate that coaches over the age of 65 must be granted special dispensation.
He does have previous experience of French football, having managed Monaco between 2012 and 2014. He returned them to Ligue 1 following two seasons in the second tier and delivered them to second place on their return behind PSG.
‘Sergio Conceicao has done a great job with the players and I want to be part of the continuity.’
Ranieri, who credited club president Waldemar Kita for persuading him to come to France’s north-west, said he had no regrets following his abrupt departure from Leicester.
‘We must forget Leicester and work with humility,’ he said. ‘Leicester remains something unique. I arrive in a club that has eight titles. I am honoured to be here.’
Nantes do indeed have eight league titles but have not tasted such success since 2001.
