Postecoglou relishing Roma test against 'unbelievable' Ranieri

Ange Postecoglou is relishing the task of facing the "unbelievable" Claudio Ranieri when Tottenham Hotspur face Roma in the Europa League on Thursday.

Ranieri came out of retirement earlier this month to take charge of the Giallorossi until the end of the season, returning for a third stint at the club.

Across his previous two spells, the 73-year-old managed 96 games in all competitions, registering 53 wins, with a win percentage of 55.21%.

His first game in charge ended in defeat, however, with Roma losing against Napoli, as former striker Romelu Lukaku scored the only goal of the game for Antonio Conte's side.

Thursday's meeting will be the first between Roma and Tottenham, and Postecoglou is looking forward to the tie, as well as taking on Ranieri.

"It's unbelievable. It just goes to show the passion he has for the game, because I'm sure there's more enjoyable, simpler ways to enjoy his life now, but he still has that in him," he said.

"I haven't come across him before, but I'm looking forward to saying hello because it's always nice to actually meet some of these people who have made such a massive impact on football, particularly in my field, management.

"He's always come across as a gentleman. I'm looking forward to meeting him, and it just goes to show that kind of bug for being a manager on the touchline doesn't leave you."

Claudio Ranieri e il nuovo Responsabile Tecnico della Prima Squadra Bentornato a casa, mister! https://t.co/dOS0CM9tnn#ASRoma pic.twitter.com/vVl3sn3tcU

— AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) November 14, 2024

Spurs come into the encounter on the back of an impressive 4-0 victory over Manchester City last Saturday, inflicting Pep Guardiola's fifth defeat in as many matches.

Postecoglou's side have also impressed in Europe, winning their last seven home matches in the Europa League without conceding, while also scoring 19 goals themselves.

Spurs have endured an up and down start to the campaign, with consistency in results failing to transpire, particularly in the Premier League thus far.

While Postecoglou acknowledged there had been some difficult moments this term, he lauded his players for some of the outstanding football they have played this season.

"You'll see the same Spurs you see every game. It's about going out there and trying to play our football and try and be the best we can be," Postecoglou said.

"Sometimes, that doesn't work out and hasn't worked out for us in a couple of games this year. We know that and it's something we need to kind of improve.

"At the same time, it's been more good than bad. If you are looking for likely outcomes, I'd say good but we have had the flat spots that we are working through.

"I don't discount the football we have played either. We've played some outstanding football. For me, it is about progress.

"I keep saying that we're a better side than we were last year and we want to keep improving and if we keep improving, the areas where there are gaps, we will slowly overcome."