By Graham Thomas
Swansea City head coach Francesco Guidolin believes his good friend Claudio Ranieri will guide Leicester to the Premier League title.
Ranieri’s stunning charge to the top of the table – and the creation of a five-point gap between the Foxes and their nearest challengers Tottenham – has been the story of the season.
But Guidolin insists the feat is no miracle and can be put down to his fellow Italian’s meticulous organisation and ability to seize opportunities.
“I think Leicester can win the League,” said Guidolin, who played against Ranieri in Italian club football, before locking horns as a manager when in charge of Udinese and Ranieri was at Inter Milan.
“They are a team that’s compact with a very important striker like Vardy. All the team has important organisation and they have enthusiasm.
“It’s not a miracle because luck is something you can take. This is a phrase of Claudio Ranieri. Two or three years ago I heard this phrase and I think it is correct.”
Ranieri, 64, rang his pal Guidolin, 60, as soon as he heard he might be heading to Wales with the task of keeping Swansea up.
“I spoke to Claudio last week before our first match. He called me just before his match against Tottenham,” says Guidolin, nicknamed the Pope back home for his gentle character.
“He is my friend and I am very happy for him at the moment. He said to me, ‘the two of us, together in the Premier League – we will be fantastic!’
“I have known Claudio for many years. He is a good guy and a good manager. We have never worked together or played together, but we often played against each other in Italy.
“The perfect season for me would be for Leicester to win the title and for Swansea to stay in the Premier League. Yes, that would be perfect.”
Guidolin, whose team host Southampton at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday, believes 40 points will enough to keep the Swans in the Premier League for another season.
Only when the club are safe, says Guidolin, will he decide whether he wants to stay beyond his current deal which runs to the season’s end.
“At the moment, I’m only thinking about these four months. I hope to have the opportunity to improve our situation and save the season.
“I hope to remain here for a long time, but now I’m concentrating on this season.”