MILAN, Italy (AP) _ Juventus wants Claudio Ranieri as its coach next season and will try to persuade him not to return to the English Premier League with Manchester City, according to Gazzetta dello Sport on Friday.

Ranieri, who quit Parma Thursday after helping the Italian club avoid relegation from the Serie A, is Juve's first choice to replace Didier Deschamps after 2006 World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi ruled himself out, the Italian sports daily reported.

Deschamps quit last week after guiding Juventus back to the Serie A. The Turin club was relegated to the Italian second division in July for its role in a match-fixing scandal.

Italian and British media reported Thursday that former Chelsea manager Ranieri had reached a three-year deal with Manchester City to replace Stuart Pearce, who was fired as manager on May 14.

Ranieri said Thursday he was ``hoping'' to return to England's top division to City but would not confirm the reports.

``It's premature to specify names,'' Ranieri said. ``At this moment, I haven't signed anything and it is all yet to be decided.''

Ranieri's future reportedly is linked to a proposed takeover of City by former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who made an indicative proposal to take over the club on May 1. Shinawatra is currently conducting due diligence ahead of a formal offer, which has yet to be made.

Ranieri managed Chelsea from 2000 to 2004. He was hired by Parma in February and the club narrowly avoided relegation in Sunday's final round.