Claudio Ranieri answers Leicester City question ahead of potential Jose Mourinho showdown

Legendary Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has admitted that should the Foxes meet his fellow former club AS Roma in the Europa Conference League semi-finals, then his allegiances would lie with the Italian club.

The two clubs were drawn alongside each other on the same side of the bracket at last month's quarter-final draw, meaning a final four tie over two legs could be in store pitting Jose Mourinho and Brendan Rodgers against each other once again. First, though, City must overcome PSV and Roma advance against Bodø/Glimt.

The 70-year-old is currently out of work after being sacked by Watford, who were the Italian's fourth English club, at the end of January. Stints in west London with Chelsea and Fulham preceded and succeeded a spell at City.

Despite achieving the crowning moment of their career by leading Leicester to the Premier League title in the 2015/16 season, ties to his home city are still too strong. “Of course," Ranieri replied when asked whether support for Mourinho and company in a hypothetical tie would be forthcoming.

"I am from Rome and a Roma fan,” Ranieri told La Gazzetta dello Sport, via Football Italia. He also represented them in a professional capacity during three separate stints.

First, as a player, Ranieri made six appearances across two seasons for his hometown club, having been born in Rome's San Saba neighbourhood in the 1970s. A return as manager was more than 30 years in the making.

It arrived in September 2009, just months after leaving Juventus, and over a season-and-a-half saw them come so close to silverware, only to be blighted by Mourinho's Inter side. Roma finished runners-up in the league, cup and the following season's super cup to the Milanese team.

A return as manager,