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Roma dismiss manager Di Francesco, Ranieri reportedly set to take job

Octavio Passos / Getty Images Sport / Getty

It would appear that Roma's Champions League defeat to Porto was the straw that broke the camel's back.

Roma announced Thursday that Eusebio Di Francesco has been dismissed, ending the manager's spell of a little over a year with the club.

"On behalf of myself and everyone at AS Roma, I’d like to thank Eusebio for his work and his commitment," club president James Pallotta said. "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."

Claudio Ranieri now appears set to take the vacant managerial spot. The Guardian's Fabrizio Romano reports that the Italian tactician will be named Roma boss a little more than a week after being sacked by Fulham.

Di Francesco replaced Luciano Spalletti in June 2017, rejoining the club he made 101 league appearances with as a midfielder between 1997-2001. In his first season in charge, Di Francesco led the Giallorossi to third place in Serie A and a shock spot in the Champions League semi-final following a thrilling victory over Barcelona.

Things haven't quite gone to plan this season, however. Roma currently sit fifth in the league, 28 points adrift of table-toppers Juventus, and out of Europe following Wednesday's last-16 second-leg loss in Portugal.

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