The Championship club are currently looking for a new manager after parting company with Kevin Blackwell.

Bates and Ranieri were together at Chelsea, and the Italian told The Sun: "Ken knows me very well. If Ken wants Claudio, he should phone Claudio.

"If he wants to strike a good deal with me and then wants Leeds back in The Premiership, I am the man for the job.

"I am ambitious and Mr Bates is too.

"I could take Leeds back into The Premiership. But my target would be to take them back into Europe too, at least in the Uefa Cup.

"I worked under Ken Bates for three years at Chelsea and, if he wants these things for Leeds, my message is 'No problem, call me'.

"I'd love to come back to England. What matters is the ambition of the club and the programme it would have for the future.

"I have worked in the Italian league, in England and in the Spanish league, too. I would be prepared to work in any of those countries again.

"But if you want the truth, my first choice would be England.

"You cannot beat the atmosphere there. It is so exciting."

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