Chelsea agree deal with Ranieri

CHELSEA brought the final curtain down on the Claudio Ranieri era yesterday, announcing they had reached an “amicable” agreement with the Italian who had exited the stage last week.

Ranieri was replaced by Jose Mourinho last Wednesday, despite having three years left on his contract and guiding the London club to the semi-finals of the Champions League and second place in the Premiership.

The terms of the severance agreement are subject to a confidentiality clause, but the club say they have “fully honoured” their commitment to Ranieri.

A spokesman for the club said: “We have fully honoured the terms of Claudio’s contract and we wish him good luck for the future.

“Our discussions with Claudio regarding the terms of his departure were at all times amicable. We are pleased we have been able to agree this so promptly.”

A full settlement on his contract would have meant a pay-out of around £6 million. And, although the terms have not been disclosed, Ranieri’s agent Jon Smith was insisting in the wake of Mourinho’s appointment that “Claudio will not be forced into accepting substantially less than he is entitled to”.

Ranieri said yesterday: “I am grateful for Chelsea’s help in bringing this settlement to a swift conclusion and allowing me to take the next step in my managerial career.

“I would like to thank the players and the fans for their support and wish them good fortune for next season.”

Whatever the details, the resolution is likely to please Ranieri as much as the club, as he will now be free to take the job at Valencia.

Tottenham were also interested in his services before they appointed Jacques Santini, but Ranieri’s first option was a return to the Mestalla where he enjoyed Copa del Rey success in 1999. Although he was popular with the Chelsea support, Ranieri’s plans to depart Premiership football will also be a blow to neutrals who will miss the colourful Italian’s humour and cavalier approach to the English language.