Claudio Ranieri has made it clear: if Italy comes calling, he's ready to answer. The veteran manager, who has twice retired from football, says he's now available and willing to serve the Azzurri in any capacity—whether as head coach or a director.

"I said no before because I had a job at Roma and couldn't do two jobs," Ranieri told Sky Sport Italia at the Gianni Di Marzio Awards. "But now I am free. When your country calls, you say yes, and that's that."

Ranieri, 73, recently left his role as a consultant at Roma after reported clashes with coach Gian Piero Gasperini. His availability comes at a critical time for Italian football, as the national team continues to recover from the embarrassment of missing three consecutive World Cup tournaments. Some pundits believe Ranieri's steady hand and vast experience could be exactly what Italy needs to rebuild.

Of course, Ranieri's name is forever etched in Premier League folklore for guiding Leicester City to the unlikeliest of title wins in 2015-16, a fairy tale that still captivates fans a decade later. But times have changed dramatically at the King Power Stadium. The Foxes, once a yo-yo club between England's top two divisions, have now slipped to the third tier.

"It's a pity they have dropped down to the third tier," Ranieri said. "I will soon be going to Leicester for the celebrations 10 years on from the Premier League title. The fans care about recreating that atmosphere."

Ranieri also revealed that Enzo Maresca, the promising Italian coach who has worked at Leicester City and Chelsea, has sought his advice before taking on new roles. "Maresca is one of the most promising young coaches around," Ranieri noted.

For now, Ranieri remains open to whatever opportunity comes next—whether it's leading Italy back to glory or offering his wisdom from behind the scenes. One thing is certain: the Tinkerman isn't done yet.