Six months ago Claudio Ranieri was working as a TV pundit but after saving Parma from relegation, he is suddenly one of the most sought-after managers around, with Manchester City and Juventus reportedly battling for his signature.   
 
If former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra makes his takeover of City, Ranieri would have money to spend and the chance to prove Roman Abramovich wrong for replacing him with Jose Mourinho three seasons ago. Many fans would enjoy seeing him back on TV, too, with his idiosyncratic English a genuine pleasure to listen to.
 
The problem is that the takeover is a long way from completion and even if it does go ahead, City are unlikely to get out from under Manchester United’s shadow any time soon.

Juventus, on the other hand, are Italy’s best supported club and genuine European heavyweights. But still, restoring them to their former glory is going to be a tall order.

The new coach will likely have to sign whole new back four, and then there is the job of persuading goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon to stay. Alessandro Del Piero also found life too easy in Serie B and a spectacular return to the top flight may be asking too much.

If reports in Italy are correct, Ranieri is set to pick Juventus, but even then he could confirm an anglophile streak with his signings. As Martha notes at theoffside, there are rumours that Frank Lampard and Momo Sissoko will be the first names on his shopping list.

Mark Meadows is a Reuters sports correspondent based in Milan