The Cagliari City Council voted unanimously to grant honorary citizenship to Claudio Ranieri: "Mister Ranieri's exploits with Cagliari represent a heritage of collective memory for the people of Cagliari and all the fans in Sardinia and outside the island," the motivations read.

"I sincerely thank the mayor and the entire municipal administration for granting me honorary citizenship, it is a recognition that fills me with pride," Claudio Ranieri said. "My heartfelt thanks go to Cagliari Calcio, to my two presidents Tonino Orrù, with his brothers, and Tommaso Giulini, all the managers. And then to all those people who worked and work with me every day in Rossoblù: technical and medical staff, warehouse workers, all the players then and now. All the fans. Without them no achievement would have been possible." 

"The city of Cagliari and the Island welcomed me for the first time so many years ago and have been a part of me ever since. Even when one day our paths parted, the people continued to make me feel special, never missing an opportunity to show me their affection. You always made me feel like one of you. If meeting again was in the natural order of things, celebrating together again, helping to make an entire people happy, was absolutely among the greatest emotions for me. Having regained the Serie A, we have a long way to go. And we will need everyone's help."