“I always thought of what was best for Roma, so after today's game I thanked the team and resigned,” announced Claudio Ranieri.
There had been reports the Coach had tended his resignation following a shock turnaround from 3-0 up at Genoa to lose 4-3.
When the squad flew back to Rome this evening for a crisis meeting at the Trigoria training ground, including President Rosella Sensi and the players who were injured or suspended for today's match.
“I always thought of what was best for Roma, so after today's game I thanked the team and resigned,” announced Claudio Ranieri.
There had been reports the Coach had tended his resignation following a shock turnaround from 3-0 up at Genoa to lose 4-3.
When the squad flew back to Rome this evening for a crisis meeting at the Trigoria training ground, including President Rosella Sensi and the players who were injured or suspended for today's match.
“I always thought of what was best for Roma,” lifelong Giallorossi supporter Ranieri told the ANSA news agency.
“After a game like today's, I think it is right to send a signal. So at the final whistle I went to the locker room to thank the team and decided to resign.
“Today we went on to the field with the desire to fight and win, for all those who love this club and the city.
“Every minute of my day is Roma, I have always said that losing here shakes me to the core and hurts far more than at any other club. Seeing my lads fight to the bitter end and lose, that is very painful for me.
“I thank the fans and President Sensi. Despite all the difficulties, we did a great job last season and this year.
“I am and will always remain a man of the football field, so I feel after a game like this the right thing to do is give a signal of my love for these colours and I hope my decision can help to fire up the squad.
“Sport and football have values that for me and those who put passion into this work are as important as life itself.”
As there were already violent protests on Saturday, the local authorities prepared for worse and provided a police escort for the team to travel from the airport to the Trigoria training ground.
There is currently a summit meeting to pick Ranieri's successor, who is likely to be current youth academy tactician Vincenzo Montella.