RANIERI: I COULD HAVE SIGNED HENRY AND FIGO

Interviewed by La Repubblica, Ranieri stated that president Cecchi Gori refused to buy Luis Figo or Thierry Henry when he could have bought them for an acceptable amount.

Ranieri was in charge in Florence from 1993-1996 before being lured away to Spain, in 1994 he won promotion to Serie A for Fiorentina and after a Coppa Italia triumph in 1996 he moved on to Valencia.

Ranieri said: "When we bought Rui Costa, we had the chance to secure the services of Henry and Figo without spending too much money, but Cecchi Gori refused to buy them because he said he had to think about the Viola financial situation."

The Italian revealed he was shocked at the extent of Fiorentina's financial woes and stated his belief that Viola supporters should help out their side.

Speaking about his hopes for Chelsea in the forthcoming season, Ranieri revealed a Champions League place was the least he was aiming for.