Roma coach Claudio Ranieri returned to Chelsea last night.

Ranieri could not resist the chance to revisit the ground where he was adored by the fans and sacked by owner Roman Abramovich five years ago.

After putting Italians Roma through their paces ahead of tonight's Europa League match against Fulham, the 'Tinkerman' took in his old club's Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid at Stamford Bridge. Ranieri, 57, said: "I am a guest of Mr Ancelotti but the tickets were provided by Mr Abramovich. It's a pleasure to come back, I used to live near here.

"Of course I wanted to stay at Chelsea and finish my job but it didn't happen.

"My destiny took me to Spain and now I am back at Rome, where I was born, and at the club I supported. I am on cloud nine. If it wasn't for Roma, there were chances for me to come back and manage an English club. Maybe in the future I could come back.

"Things have changed a lot. There are a lot rich billionaires coming in, buying clubs and expecting to win. They want too much too quickly.

"But Roma wasn't built in a day and it takes time. Football here is beautiful to watch, I watch it a lot."