Claudio Ranieri takes over as AS Roma coach

Claudio Ranieri takes over as AS Roma coach

Claudio Ranieri is expected to be unveiled as the new coach of Roma on Tuesday.

The former Juventus and Chelsea tactician will replace Luciano Spalletti, who resigned on Monday.

The Rome-born Ranieri is set to sign a two-year deal with the Eternal City outfit and will take charge for the first time at Siena on September 13.

"An agreement has been reached," said Ranieri's agent, Mattia Grassani, to the Italian media.

"Ranieri will sign a two-year contract with Roma before being unveiled to the media."

Ranieri started his playing career at Roma and is delighted to have been offered the chance to guide the Giallorossi.

"This is a great satisfaction for me," he said. "This is a dream come true as I follow a professional journey that began many years ago.

"I am honoured and convinced I will be able to do and give the best for Roma."

Roma lie at the foot of the Serie A standings after starting the new season with back-to-back defeats.

The Giallorossi lost 3-2 at Genoa before suffering a 3-1 defeat to Juve on Sunday at the Stadio Olimpico.

Spalletti resigned this morning after holding talks with club president Rosella Sensi.

"I offered my resignation and the club has accepted it," said Spalletti.

Ranieri, who was sacked by Juve just five months ago, has plenty of experience in Italy's top flight having guided Cagliari, Napoli, Fiorentina and Parma in his coaching career.

Former Roma coach Carlo Mazzone believes Ranieri is the ideal man for the job.

"I used to coach Ranieri at Catanzaro and I know him very well," he said. "I told him once that as a Roman he should have guided AS Roma.

"He is the right man for Roma, he has the experience to help the team get back to winning ways."

The 57-year-old Ranieri will have a challenge on his hands to bring the good times back to Roma.

Under Spalletti, Roma won two Coppa Italia titles (2007, 2008) and an Italian Supercup (2008), as well as finishing runners-up three times in Serie A behind champions Inter Milan.

However, Roma fans were left frustrated with the club's failure to make any big-name signings over the summer.

Defenders Nicolas Burdisso from Inter Milan and Marco Motta from Udinese were the team's most notable arrivals.