(ANSA) - ROME, NOV 15 - Former Leicester coach Claudio Ranieri said Friday he was "returning to my mother's house" after the 73-year-old Rome native took over at AS Roma for the third time, vowing to heal ructions with fans.
    "I had stopped coaching, I would have returned only for Roma and (other former club) Cagliari if it had been necessary," said Ranieri, who has replaced Croatian manager Ivan Juric, sacked following a 3-2 home defeat to Bologna Sunday that left the Giallorossi four points above the relegation zone in 12th place.
    "Here I have returned to my mother's house, I am first a fan and then a coach," he told his first press conference back on the Roma bench.
    "This is why I tell the fans to stay close to us. "Playing at home with the public whistling is the most difficult thing that can exist.
    "I want a united team and public. We are all a family: players, coach, club, employees.
    "I don't have time to make mistakes.
    "I have to get the fans to come to the stadium and send them away satisfied." The team had hired former Torino coach Juric in September to replace club legend Daniele De Rossi after a winless run in their first four Serie A games of the season.
    Ranieri is best known for the football fairy tale of leading Leicester City to the Premier League title in the 2015-16 season.
    He was previously in charge of Roma from 2009-2011 and for a short spell in 2019.
    He had said he would not coach another club, but was open to taking over a national team, after guiding Cagliari to safety in Serie A last season.
    Roma said Thursday Ranieri was coming back after reaching a deal with the owners, the American Friedkin family, to run the team till next June when he will assume an executive role.
    "AS Roma is pleased to announce that Claudio Ranieri is the new Head Coach of the First Team," the club said.
    "At the conclusion of the season, Claudio will transition into a senior executive role, where he will be an adviser to the ownership on all sporting matters at the club.
    "The search for a future coach will proceed over the next months. Claudio will have input in that decision as well.
    "He is a true symbol of the Club's values and one of the most respected Roman sports figures worldwide.
    "Ranieri brings with him an immense wealth of knowledge and experience from Serie A, the Premier League, La Liga, and Ligue 1, having managed top European clubs and winning historic titles, such as his legendary 2016 triumph with Leicester.
    "The Club extends its best wishes to him for this exciting new chapter in his career, confident that he will be an invaluable asset to the team and to all of AS Roma.
    "Forza Roma and welcome home, Mister!" (ANSA).