Claudio Ranieri is one of the most popular figures in Leicester City history.
It was Ranieri who was the Leicester manager for the club’s biggest accolade, winning the Premier League in 2016.
The harmony that the Italian helped to create at the King Power Stadium is a telling factor, with Kasper Schmeichel saying they knew they’d win the league by Christmas.
Even though the decision to sack the current Roma boss in 2017 drew criticism from those outside of Leicester, Ranieri is still loved and adored by those affiliated to the Foxes.
One of those who played his best football under the Foxes boss was Danny Drinkwater, who revealed he had a wholesome nickname for his manager.
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
Danny Drinkwater’s nickname for Claudio Ranieri
Drinkwater was an instrumental part of the XI that won the Premier League in the 15/16 campaign.
He lined up alongside N’Golo Kante, and the two formed a formidable partnership that would go on to see Chelsea pay astonishing fees to Leicester to pry them away.
Aside from Leonardo Ulloa, who felt ‘betrayed’ by Ranieri in 2017, no Leicester player would have a bad word to say.
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Ex-Manchester United man Drinkwater is no different and in an interview with Il Messaggero, the former midfielder revealed the nickname he gave his old boss, as well as an insight into his management skills.
He said: “I called him grandpa, he is a great person, but not only in the world of football, he is also a gentleman outside of it.
”Personally, he treated me exactly as I wanted to be treated, he shouted at me when I needed to be yelled at and he helped me when I needed it, he is truly a great person.”
How is Claudio Ranieri faring at Roma?
While Drinkwater now works a 9-5 job, Ranieri made a return to boyhood club Roma for the third time.
Ranieri would swap the Leicester success to win Roma a Scudetto but while that seems a long way off, the chance to win the Europa League is still on.
Since replacing Daniele De Rossi, the Giallorossi have had an almighty turnaround and are yet to lose a league game in 2025, as well as register five wins in a row since 2017.
He’s already confirmed that he will step down from the role at the end of the season and move into a role upstairs at the Stadio Olimpico.