Taking over from Eusebio di Francesco at Roma until the end of the season, Claudio Ranieri has enjoyed a mixed bag of results in his first two games in charge.
Beating Empoli 2-1 at home, the former Fulham manager witnessed a rather tepid performance from his players at the weekend as they lost 2-1 to SPAL away from home, a match they should be winning comfortably.
The result has led to some rather inquisitive articles being written on Monday regarding his future at the helm, with Champions League qualification now looking like a tough ask, and Maurizio Sarri, currently at Chelsea, remains one of the names for next season.
The idea is being pushed by Franco Baldini, according to Il Messaggero, currently advising Roma’s owner, James Pallotta, without having an official role at the club.
The Italian newspaper state the former Tottenham technical director is ‘pushing’ for the Chelsea manager, who appeared to be slowly turning things around at Stamford Bridge in recent weeks until this weekend’s 2-0 loss to Everton.
As the Blues currently sit sixth in the Premier League table, three points off Arsenal and Champions League football, Sarri’s future could also be tied to qualification for the elite European competition.
If he doesn’t qualify, Roman Abramovich could send him packing, just like he has done many times in the past with the Italian’s predecessors, at which point Roma could pounce if Pallotta listens to Baldini.
