Ranieri to replace Spalletti at Roma

Claudio Ranieri will become the successor to Luciano Spalletti, who became the first coaching casualty of the Serie A season after resigning at AS Roma following back-to-back losses.

Difficult start
Ranieri has confirmed he will take over the reins and will be unveiled at a press conference on Wednesday after agreeing a two-year deal. After beginning their domestic campaign with a 3-2 defeat at Genoa CFC, Roma fell 3-1 at home to Juventus on Sunday. That result proved to be the final straw for Spalletti, who promptly announced an end to his four-year reign at the Stadio Olimpico. A mixed spell, the zenith came in 2006/07 when Roma finished runners-up to FC Internazionale Milano in the league and won the Coppa Italia, the 50-year-old also picking up personal honours as he was named 2006 Serie A Coach of the Year. Roma claimed the Italian Super Cup at the start of the following campaign.

Košice defeated
The Giallorossi could only manage sixth last term, earning a place in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League. After seeing off KAA Gent, they were held 3-3 by MFK Košice in the first leg of their play-off, but sealed progress to the group stage at home last week with a 7-1 victory. Roma have been drawn against PFC CSKA Sofia, Fulham FC and FC Basel 1893 in Group E of the UEFA Europa League.