CAGLIARI starting XI (4-2-3-1): Scuffet (subbed for Aresti), Zappa, Mina, Obert, Augello, Deiola (subbed for Sulemana who was subbed for Mancosu), Prati, Nandez (subbed for Di Pardo), Viola, Luvumbo (subbed for Mutandwa), Lapadula

Bench: Radunovic, Hatzidiakos, Wieteska, Azzi, Oristanio, Pavoletti, Petagna, Shomurodov, Gaetano

Goals: Deiola 64’, Mutandwa 85’

FIORENTINA starting XI (4-2-3-1): Terracciano, Dodo, Milenkovic (subbed for Martinez Quarta), Ranieri, Biraghi, Bonaventura (subbed for Beltran), Mandragora (subbed for Arthur), Ikoné (subbed for Gonzalez), Barak, Castrovilli, Belotti (subbed for Nzola)

Bench: Christensen, Martinelli, Kayode, Faraoni, Comuzzo, Parisi, Infantino, Duncan, Maxime Lopez, Kouame

Goals: Bonaventura 39’, Gonzalez 89’, Melo 90+13’ (Pen)

His departure on Thursday was slightly spoiled as Cagliari, who had already secured Serie A safety, lost 3-2 at home to Fiorentina in their final match of the season.

Fiorentina snatched the win when Arthur converted a penalty with the last kick of the match in the 13th minute of stoppage time. The result also secured European football for Fiorentina next season.

The match came two days after Ranieri confirmed he would step down as coach of his beloved Cagliari, the team that also launched his impressive managerial career more than 35 years earlier.

Ranieri, who famously steered Leicester City to the English Premier League title in 2016, said he would not coach another club but may consider offers from national teams.

Ranieri already appeared to have tears in his eyes before kick-off when he was given a standing ovation by the fans as well as both sets of players.

There was a giant banner unveiled in the stands that read, “Eternal gratitude for a great man. Thank you, Mister”.

There were also plenty of smaller signs expressing the fans’ love for Ranieri.

The 72-year-old Ranieri was given a guard of honour by Cagliari after the match and was filled with tears as he gave a speech to the fans before walking round the field to salute each side of the ground and putting a team scarf around his neck.

Ranieri returned for a second stint at Cagliari in December 2022, with the side 14th in Serie B.

He pulled off something of a masterstroke to help Cagliari earn promotion and then continued to work his managerial magic to ensure they avoided going straight back down, securing Serie A safety last weekend.

Ranieri had coached Fiorentina for a four-year spell from 1993 and was presented with a special gift, a team jersey with his name on the back and the number 1.

Napoli, Juventus, Roma and Inter Milan are also among a long list of other clubs Ranieri also coached.

AAP

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