Alasdair Mackenzie reports from the Stadio Olimpico, Rome.

It seems there is only one place Claudio Ranieri should be searching for his successor: the mirror.  

The success of the Roman native’s third spell in charge of his boyhood club has left suppli crumbs tumbling out of dropped jaws all around the Eternal City.

Nobody saw this coming. Even Romanisti with 20:20 hindsight surely won’t pretend they expected King Claudio the Third to be like a Sun God, transforming a violent sea storm of a season into a pool party.

Ranieri’s Roma have the best record of any Serie A side in 2025, and no team boasts more than their 10 wins in all competitions.

Sunday’s win over Como saw them notch a fourth straight league win for the first time in five years, while on Thursday things got even better when Athletic Club were sunk by an astonishing last-second Eldor Shomurodov winner.

The two matches were remarkably similar, both 2-1 comeback victories where a red card to the opposition opened the door to a turnaround.

But they also shared the kind of raucous, intense atmosphere that has become a hallmark of Ranieri’s tenure – not to mention the collective pre-match roaring of the veteran coach’s name that has now become tradition.

Thursday’s victory showcased much of what has made Ranieri’s third spell a success: a newfound mental strength, collective cohesion and organisation, and hugely improved individual performances across the squad from Alexis Saelemaekers and Zeki Celik to the two goalscorers, Angelino and Shomurodov.

Combining this mentality, structure and confidence has created a Roma side that seems to have forgotten how to lose.

“The credit for this rebirth is largely due to the coach,” Paulo Dybala said this week.

“When he arrived, it was a difficult period, with many internal and external changes in the team, everything was uncertain.

“He reassured us by doing simple things, he knows Roma and the environment around the club very well and his extraordinary motivation makes the difference.”

Let’s not forget that Ranieri achieved all this after emerging from retirement, and while helping the Friedkins conduct their search for a new coach.

It’s an appointment they simply must get right. The Ranieri revival has brought the good vibes back, but Roma’s American owners won’t need to be reminded how much work still must be done to turn the tide of public opinion back in their favour.

The Friedkins were more vehemently protested inside the Stadio Olimpico than anyone in the dark weeks at the tail end of 2024. Although Ivan Juric, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Bryan Cristante came under sustained fire, the Friedkins were never out of the crosshairs after sacking Daniele De Rossi.

That decision was a bridge too far for many. You don’t mistreat a Roma senatore without a response. And sacking DDR four games into a season he went into on the back of a new long-term contract was certainly seen as mistreatment.

The Friedkins bought some time with Ranieri’s return, but they have to get their next move right to hit the key targets: get the fans on side, strengthen the squad amid FFP restrictions, and get the club back into the Champions League.

As the days and weeks tick by, it is becoming harder and harder to not believe that Roma’s best solution is already in the dugout.

It’s true that Ranieri has shown a surprisingly fiery side in the last few months, from his fury at the referee in Porto to his sarcastic comments about January spending. Perhaps he will be happy to finish a laudable traghettatore term and head off into his executive role to the soundtrack of an ovation from his adoring public.

But this week, Carlo Ancelotti suggested that the 73-year-old will find it hard to resist staying on, saying: “I doubt he will stop.”

A few days later, after Roma’s comeback win over Como, those comments were put to Ranieri live on Sky Italia. He simply chuckled and said: “Let it go!”

It wasn’t a no. And looking at the list of potential replacements, it is easy enough to spot potential issues.

Cesc Fabregas may need more time, while Maurizio Sarri’s history with Lazio and Gian Piero Gasperini’s volatile character could test a notoriously demanding fanbase’s patience.

That is a point not to be trifled with. Few crowds can turn with the ferocity of the Roma support – just ask Lorenzo Pellegrini, who went from adored, trophy-winning hometown captain to a regular target of boos and whistles this season.

When the crowd turns against the team, like it did in the final weeks of Ivan Juric’s spell, a tricky task of turning around a sticky patch of form can become a mountainous one. When it is with them, players can visibly swell with confidence.

The violent swings of opinion are unlikely to occur with Ranieri at the helm. He has more than enough credit in the bank to successfully navigate a dip in form, while his deep-rooted Romanismo and connection the club has already helped bring back the sell-out crowds that had started to dwindle for the first time in years prior to his arrival.

There are coaches out there with more glittering CVs and more exciting brands of football than Claudio.

But there are none with his popularity and understanding of the unique challenges of one of European football’s most demanding jobs. When it comes to a decision the Friedkins can’t afford to get wrong, the right answer could be staring right at them.

Can Roma Dare To Dream with King Claudio? Watch on DCTV