Chelsea: Ranieri predicted exit

Valencia boss Claudio Ranieri believed his old job at Chelsea was under threat as early as July 2003 - when Roman Abramovich took over the club. The Italian left Chelsea at the end of last season after a four-year reign.

He told BBC Five Live that he expected to be replaced by current England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson "in 2003 - at the start of the Roman Abramovich era".

He added: "When you see Sven with Mr Abramovich and all the rumours, it was very difficult to maintain my job."

Now back in Spain for a second spell as Valencia boss, Ranieri says focusing on his job helped him block out all the speculation at Chelsea.

BBC Sport

it must have been really hard for him, everday rumours circulating about who would replace him.

and with roman coming in, all the new players, ranieri wasnt in total control