Andrea Ranocchia explains how Antonio Conte changed his career at Arezzo: ‘He turns you into a winner.’
The 34-year-old announced his retirement with two videos on social media where he explained his decision and went through his career.
The former Inter captain started playing football in Bastia Umbra, circa 20km from Perugia, before joining Perugia and Arezzo’s youth sectors.
He began his professional career at Arezzo in Serie B under Antonio Conte, who also started his coaching career then.
Ranocchia played 17 games under the Italian tactician, meeting him twice again during the course of his career. First at Bari (2008-09) and then at Inter, from 2019 to 2021.
Ranocchia won his only Serie A title under Conte in 2020-21.
“When I became a professional footballer, I joined Arezzo and I was lucky enough to work with Antonio Conte who transformed me,” said Ranocchia.
“A coach who absorbs and turns you into a professional and a winner. It changes your way of thinking and you no longer are who you used to be when he leaves.
“I was lucky enough to work with him and he launched me into real football, that’s how I began my career. I spent great moments, all the players gave me something new and offered me new ways of thinking and approaching games and life in the dressing room. I want to thank them all from the first to the last ones.”
Ranocchia has reportedly given up on €4m from his two-year deal with Monza who he had joined in the summer after the end of his contract with Inter.
He played 218 games in Serie A, scoring 13 goals. He also amassed 16 appearances and two goals with Hull City during his loan spell in the second part of 2016-17.
“When I started playing 30 years ago, I had a lot of passion and there was no comparison with anything else. I spent great moments and built strong friendships, I had fun playing football, which was all I was doing as a kid,” he continued.
“I’ve never thought about where I could get, I only wanted to have fun and bring my passion forward day by day, like all the kids playing any sport.
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“I was lucky enough to turn my passion into my job. It all started from here, from Bastia Umbra, I’ve gone through so much. I was lucky enough to have many experiences, playing with many players, coaches, and directors who made me have fun and improve.
“When I was in Perugia, I was lucky to work with a coach called Pietro Montanelli. I was playing as a striker or midfielder, but one season we didn’t have enough defenders, so he tried me at the back and that’s when I’ve become who I am today. Many coaches have helped me and I thank all of them.
“I played with incredible players, great champions, Inter and the national team and I am proud about it I started from here and got to the best stadiums in the world, with passion and determination.”