Former Juventus manager Ranieri has been tasked with sounding out suitable candidates to take over as head coach of Roma once he moves to a sporting advisor role with the Giallorossi.
The 73-year-old journeyman, who sensationally lifted the 2015/2016 English Premier League title with underdogs Leicester City, was lured back to Roma last November.
Ranieri, who was at the helm in Turin from 2007 to 2009, to become Roma’s third manager this term. Club legend Daniele de Rossi was axed after only four matches, with his successor Ivan Juric given the boot after just 12 games.
Ranieri has agreed with the owners, the Houston-based Friedkin Group, to search for the next head coach before leaving the dugout. And he has turned things around at Roma, with an impressive set of recent results.
Allegri and Sousa are high on Ranieri’s wishlist, with Malta-born former Italy boss Roberto Mancini also on his radar.
Mancini had enjoyed a stellar playing and coaching career until his ill-fated two month stint as Saudi Arabia manager. The 60-year-old resigned from his role as head coach of the Azzurri in August 2023, and a fortnight later took the reins for the national Saudi Arabia team.
Following a set of disappointing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying results, Mancini left by mutual consent in October 2023. He is currently available for his next coaching challenge, and Roma could be his next destination.
Allegri has been on the shortlist of a plethora of elite clubs in recent months. He spoke to Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United about potentially taking over, with Manchester United also showing keen interest. His wage demands were considered to be too high for these English teams.
Manchester United and West Ham have since unveiled new coaches while Spurs have yet to yield the axe on tough-talking Ange Postecoglou.
Spurs could turn to 57-year-old Allegri if they succumb to their fans’ outcry for giving the boot to Postecoglou.
The Aussie has failed miserably this season, and after recently shelving his infamous entertaining “Ange Ball” tactics with dire results, the writing seems to be on the wall for the Londoners to pull the plug soon.
Allegri has also been heavily linked with joining Al-Ahli in the Saudi Arabia Pro League. Last month Gabriele Cioffi, the ex-Udinese head coach, was due to sign a short-term contract as Al-Ahli manager. It was rumoured that Allegri had been lined up to replace him at the end of the season.
Nothing materialised for Cioffi, with German Matthias Jaissle appearing to be well established as Al-Ahli coach despite the rumours about Allegri’s summer arrival.
Tuscany-born Allegri, who won 12 trophies in two stints with Juventus, has been without a club since leaving the Bianconeri last May.
He lost his cool and his job following a furious rant at match officials during Juve’s Coppa Italia final win over Atalanta.
The slender 1-0 success was not enough for the board to reprieve his unacceptable antics, and they sent Allegri packing two days after he secured the coveted trophy.
Allegri was considered for the AC Milan role this term, after head coach Paulo Fonseca was dismissed following December’s dreary 1-1 draw with Roma.
Fonseca only lasted six months at the San Siro, with Allegri surprisingly overlooked and Portuguese coach Sergio Conceicao — father of Juventus winger Francisco Concericao — installed to steady the ship.
Roma fans may not take too kindly to Allegri because he coached two rivals in the shape of AC Milan and Juventus, plus there’s also the financial factor of bringing in serial winner Allegri for Ranieri to consider.
A cheaper option would be Sousa, although Roma would have to fork out compensation to appoint him.
Sousa’s Serie A managerial experience is not extensive, but includes a promising spell at Fiorentina and a short-lived stint with Salernitana. He was installed as head coach at Shabab Al-Ahil last June, and they currently sit top of the UAE Pro League.
The 51-year-old Portuguese will be fondly remembered for making an impact after joining Juventus from Sporting Lisbon in 1994.
The defensive midfielder won three trophies in his first season with the Turin giants, which included the Serie A title, and the next term was in the squad that clinched the Champions League crown.
It remains to be seen if a former Juventus favourite takes the reins at Roma next season, and can elevate them into serious Serie A title challengers.