Ranieri went back toLeicester for the first time since guiding them to the title.
You could understand why fans of the club were nostalgic on Sunday.
Ranieri was back at the King Power Stadium, where he guided the Foxes to the most unexpected, feel-good success in English football.
As supporters remembered the campaign when they were written off as 5,000-1 no hopers, the current manager got the hero's reception he deserved.
The crowd applauded as the Italian waved to all corners and pointed to his heart, while trying to hold back tears.
The title of the premier league will be in my heart all my life. Ranieri said he was proud to be a part of the fairytale. I don't want to show my emotions, I'm a very shy man. I can be calm if I'm ready. Sometimes tears happen if I'm surprised.
The love from the fans was relentless.
The home crowd went through their full range of Ranieri chants at regular intervals as they watched the match in a snowstorm.
Brendan Rodgers said the reaction "warmed the heart", while Ranieri said it was fantastic.
Ranieri has been serenaded at the King Power Stadium before, but this time there was no Bocelli in a Foxes shirt and no renditions of the song "Nssun Dorma." Fans who watched that campaign gave praise and gratitude.
Emotions are running high before the match for the Foxes.
After that, there would be no repeat forLeicester.
Ranieri was dismissed nine months after the club's greatest moment, after they finished 12th in the league and only reached the quarter-finals of the European competition.
Rodgers won the FA Cup in May, and the team were punching above their weight.
There was plenty to be optimistic about on Sunday, but the Foxes have struggled to find their best form.
The win over the Hornets, in which Jamie Vardy scored twice, took them back into the top half of the table, but questions remain over how far Rodgers can take them.
"Brendan has distanced himself from most jobs he's been linked with, but paper talk will continue as long as he's successful," said Chris Forryan from fans' website.
He has two top-five finishes, two European campaigns and an FA Cup and Community Shield win.
Brendan is building a long-term project atLeicester, so it will be down to him how long he stays. Brendan will get the club back in the playoffs.
James Maddison received a standing ovation when he was substituted after a goal and two assists, which could be a huge boost for Rodgers.
They have only kept one clean sheet in the league, despite having one of the best goalkeepers in the world in Kasper Schmeichel.
On December 9th, the game at Napoli is in the Europa League, while on December 22nd, the game atLiverpool is in the Carabao Cup.
Where do they go from here? Cup competitions are their best chance of success. They are in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup and top of their Europa League group, but could be eliminated if they lose at Napoli.
December could be a season-changing month for the Foxes with a run of nine games, including league matches against Spurs, Manchester City andLiverpool, as well as their Carabao Cup and Europa League ties.
What about Ranieri? Despite being a winner in the English top flight, he is trying to rebuild his reputation in English football after a failed three-and-a-half month spell at Cottagers.
He's picked up six points from a challenging first six games in charge of the Hornets, but has lost to his former employers, including his first game as head coach.
It doesn't get any easier with the Hornets playing European champion Chelsea on Wednesday and reigning premier league holders Manchester City on Saturday.
Ranieri will always be a part of the history and legend of the club even if he can't be a long-term success.
Ranieri has managed four English teams.
