Roma sack manager Eusebio Di Francesco

AS Roma have parted company with coach Eusebio Di Francesco this afternoon, one day after being knocked out of the Champions League by Porto.

“Di Francesco has left the club with immediate effect,” the club said in a statement.

“The club would like to thank Eusebio for his work during his time at AS Roma and wish him success in the future.”

Club president Jim Pallotta said: “On behalf of myself and everyone at AS Roma, I’d like to thank Eusebio for his work and his commitment.

“Since returning to the club, Eusebio has always acted professionally and put the club’s needs ahead of his own. We all wish him well for the future.”

Di Francesco was in his second season at the club, having led them to third place in Serie A last term. He also brought them to the semi-finals of the Champions League after a memorable win over Barcelona, in which they overturned a three-goal first-leg deficit.

Di Francesco enjoyed a successful spell at Sassuolo between 2012 and 2017 before taking charge of Roma.

Pressure had been mounting on Di Francesco who won the Scudetto with the Giallorossi as a player in 2001 in recent weeks. Roma were knocked out of the Coppa Italia at the quarter-final stage in January suffering a humiliating 7-1 loss to Fiorentina.

Roma currently sit fifth in Serie A outside of the Champions League places and have suffered eight draws and six losses in the league. They have thrown away sizeable leads this season to relatively weaker opposition on numerous occasions this campaign.

A 3-1 loss in the Derby della Capitale last Saturday to arch rivals Lazio meant Roma needed to progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League if Di Francesco was to continue in the role.

The Italians took a 2-1 lead to Portugal, but they were beaten after extra-time. Alex Telles’s late penalty, awarded using VAR, seeing Porto through.

Italian media have reported that Claudio Ranieri, fired by Premier League side Fulham last week, is a possible candidate to replace Di Francesco.

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