Old boy Claudio Ranieri still has the magic touch! Cagliari win promotion with an added-time shocker

You can say much about Claudio Ranieri - and you'd be right about most things. Yes, he's getting older, and yes, his last couple of coaching appointments have ended poorly, but you'd be wrong if you said he used up all his luck and magic when he led Leicester City to the Premier League title!

The 71-year-old coach celebrated on Sunday night when his Cagliari won the Serie B playoff with a last-gasp winner away at Bari. A goalless draw would have taken the Apulians to the top division - but veteran forward Leonardo Pavoletti, who only came on five minutes earlier, struck from close range to silence the home crowd at Stadio San Nicola and send the travelling Sardinians into dreamland.

The old coach was overcome with emotions following the final whistle and shed tears of joy after a remarkable season in which Cagliari struggled for large portions of the campaign but managed to find form when it mattered the most. It was a moment of joy, but it was also the time for the experienced tactitian to show his greatness. The away "tifosi" celebrated before starting to mock the home crowd by chanting "Serie B". And sure enough, Ranieri showed his class and sportsmanship by silencing the fans with his gestures. He wouldn't allow his club to insult the opponents - on the pitch or off it.

What a remarkable man!

Ranieri had only taken charge of Cagliari before Christmas when they were struggling in 14th place in Serie B. It was a romantic return of the coach who led the team for three seasons in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Few could have predicted the effect the old boy would have on the club. Since then, the Rossoblu have only lost two games out of 19, winning nine and ending the season in fifth place. Then, in the playoff semi-final, they beat Parma 3-2 at home despite going 2-0 behind. The goalless draw at Stadio Ennio Tardini put them in the final against Bari - in which Claudio's team showed incredible attitude and were rewarded.

"I want to thank the boys. I'm crying because this game gave me indescribable joy. Everyone has contributed to this promotion, even those who haven't played. Cagliari is special to me because that's where my career lift off all those years ago. When I returned, I knew missing out on promotion would be a scarring defeat for me. But I took on the task, did my best and all the work the team put in has paid off. "

The dramatic victory gets Cagliari back into the top flight after just a season of playing in the "B". Another club who'll join them is Hellas Verona, who beat Spezia in the relegation playoff on Sunday night. It means Spezia's three-year stay in the top division ends after uninspiring finishes of 15th, 16th and 17th. They won't be missed by many.

As far as Bari's season goes, it was a big step forward for the team that was forced to compete in the fourt tier not so long ago. Their new ownership, led by Napoli's supremo Aurelio De Laurentiis, will have another year to plan for Bari's return to Serie A - when they will have to sell the club due to the Italian Football Federation's regulations.

If the Cockerels win promotion to Serie A, it will be a dream for the fans - and a nightmare for the owner

So, to wrap up the season: Spezia, Cremonese and Sampdoria go down, and Frosinone, Genoa and Cagliari go up to Serie A.

Welcome back, Mister Claudio Ranieri!