Roma have confirmed they have accepted Claudio Ranieri's resignation. The 59-year-old offered to stand down last night after his side surrendered a 3-0 lead to lose 4-3 at Genoa, which was their fourth straight defeat in all competitions.

The team trained without Ranieri this morning, the coach turning up at the Trigoria training ground to meet with club officials and players before leaving 50 minutes later. The club then issued a statement confirming they had parted company with the former defender.

Roma wishes to thank Claudio Ranieri for the professionalism shown and the work done.
A Roma statement

Vincenzo Montella has replaced Ranieri at the helm. Montella, a former Roma striker, will lead the side for the remainder of the season with the Giallorossi still alive in the UEFA Champions League and the Coppa Italia.

Roma said in a statement: "AS Roma announces it received yesterday evening the resignation of Mr Claudio Ranieri as coach of the first team.

"Following this move, the financial contract with Ranieri, whose deal was coming to an end on June 30, 2011, has ended by mutual consent. Roma wishes to thank Claudio Ranieri for the professionalism shown and the work done."

The former Chelsea manager was seen as a saviour by Roma fans after replacing Luciano Spalletti in September 2009. The club had endured an horrendous start to the campaign and Ranieri, who had been fired by Juventus months earlier, rescued the team and nearly led them to the Scudetto.

Roma finished runners-up in both Serie A and the Coppa Italia to Inter Milan last season.