The fans want him out, the press want him out and the players apparently want him out, but Claudio Ranieri is nothing but a battler.
The Juventus coach faces three games that will make or break his tenure in Turin.
On Saturday, the Bianconeri are in the bear-pit of the San Paolo Stadium to face Napoli, then the following Wednesday itâÂÂs Real Madrid at home in the Champions League.
The derby against Torino arrives the weekend after that, so no pressure then.
Ranieri: Wishing he had eyes in the back of his head
Two positive results from three and we can forget the names of Rafael Benitez, Roberto Donadoni, Cesare Prandelli and Frank Rijkaard for now, but otherwise itâÂÂs the long road for the likeable Roman.
Only last week, Tuttosport were screaming their âÂÂRanieri outâ headlines but now seemingly, as an act of party unity, the club mouth-piece claims that harmony has broken out in the dressing room.
âÂÂPeace between Alex-Ranieri,â ran WednesdayâÂÂs headline.
Here lies the crux of the problem and it's more than a hint that itâÂÂs little Alex Del Piero leading the coup dâÂÂetat.
With supposed revolution in the air and the little capoâÂÂs lieutenants, Mauro Camoranesi and Gianluigi Buffon throwing their weight behind an interim management team headed up by former players Ciro Ferrara and Antonio Conte, the wily old Ranieri has decided appeasement was the best way to head off mob rule.
Hence the âÂÂsit-downâ at the clubâÂÂs training complex where the grievances were thrashed out, no doubt in a darkened boot-room out the back.
Del Boy and Buffon plot their next rebellious move
What was actually said has yet to come to light, lost for the time being in the mist of diplomatic niceties.
However, while Ranieri maintained that both parties were on the same page, moving in the same direction and so forth, Del Piero hinted that all had not been well within the family.
âÂÂI want to win and you have to look people in the face and let them know that,â he said. âÂÂI am speaking for my team-mates and those on international duty.âÂÂ
Another big wink and nudge to the fact that Del Boy isnâÂÂt on international duty but can the blame be laid squarely with Ranieri?
One goal from five appearances says it all and maybe the captain should take a look at how he is conducting himself â or maybe thatâÂÂs his cunning plan to bring the âÂÂbossâ down.
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