Claudio Ranieri has described his return to Roma as "fate" after the Italian coach was appointed as head coach of the Serie A club for a third time.

The Premier League-winning manager led the team between 2009 and 2011 and returned for a two-month stint in 2019. He also played for the Giallorossi during the 1973-74 campaign.

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Ranieri is set to be in charge in Rome until the end of this season before moving into an executive position at the club as they search for a permanent head coach.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Ranieri said he would have only ended his self-imposed retirement for the team from the Italian capital or Cagliari.

"Before we start it seems right to clarify that I would have only unretired for Roma or Cagliari," he said. "Fate wanted me to end my career as a manager here.

"I was surprised by how much the Friedkins [Roma's American owners] care about Roma and now it is up to me to do what I can. I could never say no to Roma."

Claudio Ranieri met with his new Roma players, including Paolo Dybala, on Thursday after being appointed to the role. Fabio Rossi/AS Roma via Getty Images

Ranieri also hinted that club legend Francesco Totti could return to the club in some capacity. Totti, 48, has said he could still perform in the top tier of Italian football, claiming that clubs have called him over an unretirement of his own.

"I am not closing the door to anything, we will see if we can talk to him to understand if he can help us, but it is not a given that he will return to Roma," Ranieri said of Totti's comments.

Ranieri's initial retirement came after helping Cagliari stave off relegation from Serie A in the 2023-24 season. He is best known for Leicester City's miraculous Premier League title win in 2016, but has also enjoyed spells with Chelsea, Juventus and Internazionale.

Roma are 12th in Serie A having won just three of their opening 12 league games this season. Ranieri is the third manager of the term, after Daniele De Rossi was sacked after four games and Ivan Jurić's unsuccessful attempt to right the ship.