New Watford boss Claudio Ranieri has promised to "work hard and fast" as he looks to push the club towards Premier League safety.
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Newly appointed Watford head coach Claudio Ranieri is confident about leading the Hornets on to a respectable league finish this season, having recently returned to England. The Italian wasted no time in meeting his new players and staff, having been appointed on Monday evening. Ranieri has expressed a desire to ‘work hard and fast’ to ensure the survival of Watford in the Premier League, having led Leicester City on to a glorious league title during his previous stint in the Premier League back in 2016. The Italian has achieved plenty of success in several countries as well, providing ample experience to negotiate any challenge that comes his way.
“I’m very pleased, very pleased to come back to the Premier League and to come to Watford. Watford is a very good club for me, I wanted to come back to England, and I’m very pleased, very happy, and want to do my best. I have good and bad memories of when I’ve played against Watford! But this is history. I look forward every time,” said Ranieri as quoted by Watford’s official website.
The Italian has clear targets and goals set out as the head coach of Watford, with 40 points the initial aim.
“I watched all of the Premier League matches [so far]. I think there are very good players, Have my philosophy, my mentality and we have to work hard to change little things. I don’t start with all of the guys [yet] because I have some injured players and there are some international players. We are working well, a very good group so far and I am very confident,” said Ranieri.
“It’s not easy because the next match is Liverpool – one of the best teams in Europe. Of course I have to work quickly, try to do my best, and also [make sure] my players understand me very soon. The first idea is to be safe – 40 points are very necessary. Then, we’ll see,” he added.
Ranieri has coached at the highest level for over 30 years. The Italian hopes to use his tactical experience to help the team, in defence and attack. Ranieri has called on the Watford supporters to get behind the team, both in positive moments and when they need to dig deep.
“I think in England everyone knows me from Chelsea or Leicester, I want a team who tries to score goals. We have very good players up front, very fast. I want to close the space a little more and help the defensive line. A lot of players came in, a new manager, and we need a little time but I know in the Premier League there isn’t time. For this reason we have to work hard, and fast,” stated the Italian.
“I hope to give them [the fans] a very good show. They know we play against Liverpool and we need their support from the first to the last second of the match. Against every team there are specific moments where we are under pressure. I love the fans, and I hope I can give them what they are waiting for. I love football, football is my life and I have a long future! It’s the ambience, the adrenaline. It’s in my blood. To the fans I can say, we work hard, the campaign will be very difficult but we are confident,” he concluded.
