Claudio Ranieri shrugs off rumours linking Zinedine Zidane with the Monaco job

Claudio Ranieri dismisses Zidane rumours

AS Monaco manager Claudio Ranieri has shrugged off speculation linking Real Madrid’s assistant manager Zinedine Zidane with his job, despite reports in France which suggest that Zizou is set to leave Real Madrid at the end of this season.

Ranieri, who has formerly managed Chelsea has one year left on his contract with Monaco, moved to the club in 2012. Reports have suggested that Russian billionaire and owner Dmitry Rybolovlev is planning to sack Ranieri despite the club securing a Champions League spot.

Monaco trail league leaders PSG by seven points after having secured a victory at Ajaccio on Saturday. The Spanish media has suggested that Zidane is ready to leave his current position as assistant manager at Real, in order to gain experience as a manager, and is said to be at the top of the list of potential replacements for Ranieri.

The 62-year-old, who was succeeded by Jose Mourinho as manager of Chelsea in 2004, after having successfully guided his Chelsea team to second spot, has been defiant that history will not repeat itself, saying:

“Zidane has the media behind him but I have 75 points,” he said. “Only Zidane? But it seems that all the names want to come to Monaco? You journalists love your many rumours. This is a good position to take because Monaco is a great club but no one will replace Ranieri. Ranieri will continue.”

He further added: “For us, the goal was not to delay the coronation of PSG. We play every game to win. We’ve got 75 points, which is fine in my opinion, but I still want more. This is important for our pride. Especially as we’ve played without [Radamel] Falcao since November.”