I´m not going anywhere: Ranieri

Claudio Ranieri is adamant he will not resign from Roma despite protests calling for the coach’s removal on Saturday.

About 200 fans had to be dispersed by police after they hurled fireworks and flares into Roma’s training ground on Saturday morning, angered by the Serie A club’s run of poor form.

Roma were defeated 3-2 at home by Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk in the Europa League on Wednesday, and sit a lowly eighth in the Italian league following back-to-back losses.

But Ranieri is determined to ride out Roma’s latest slump and remain at the club he supported as a child.

“Relax, I’m not going anywhere. I will not abandon the ship,” Ranieri said ahead of Roma’s trip to Genoa on Sunday.

“I won’t leave mid-season. It is a difficult situation, so as a native Roman I feel twice as bad, but I don’t like to give in. I have always faced challenges head-on and will continue to do so.”

American consortium Di Benedetto are believed to be close to purchasing the cash-strapped club from Rosella Sensi, and reports from Italy have suggested the potential new owners may be planning to oust Ranieri from the position he has held since 2009.

But the 59-year-old believes he may be in line for a contract extension should the American group take over at the Stadio Olimpico.

“The Sensi family is selling up, while there is a new buyer who still has to complete the process. I received positive messages that they want to renew my contract, but we cannot rush these things,” Ranieri said.

“You have to consider the situation when I arrived, as there was no money and I knew it was an extremely difficult situation.”

“I could’ve easily walked away last season, knowing the next term would be tough. However, that would’ve been like betraying myself.”

“The fans want to see a team that gives everything on the field. They are focusing on tomorrow’s game against Genoa and want results.”

“They couldn’t care less about club plans and strategies for the future.”