Yet there was a certain inevitability to the move. Roma had been knee-capped by financial considerations. It was a [...]]]> Luciano Spalletti moved on from Roma" width="286" height="161" />

Luciano Spalletti resigned at AS Roma today. This is going to be a huge loss for i Giallorossi, and I can’t imagine any of the Roma supporters I know being happy with the move.

Yet there was a certain inevitability to the move. Roma had been knee-capped by financial considerations. It was a minor-miracle that they got through the summer without having to sell Daniele de Rossi (who scored an absolute cracker this weekend). The club has had to rely on second-choice solutions like Julio Baptista, John Arne Riise and Nicolas Burdisso without being able to add players which would be part of a new core. With Alberto Aquilani gone to Liverpool and Francesco Totti too injury prone to be relied upon, this team’s core is de Rossi and Mirko Vucinic. That’s not enough dependability to make this team a contender for the Scudetto.

Not that league title should be the expectation, but Spalletti had this club in second place two seasons ago. He is one of the most respected managers in Europe. To see the club’s descent had to kill him. There’s only so long you can continue playing a shell game before the customers start to figure it out. In that metaphor, Spalletti’s opposing coaches are the customers, and as we saw Juventus pick apart Roma’s defense at the weekend, the game may be up.

I think Spalletti is going to get a huge contract from Zenit St. Petersburg, a bias that influence my post on Russian Football Now. He deserves it. I would have trouble naming six managers in Europe I respect more than Spalletti, and for the Russian league to get him would be a huge coup. I only wish it was a club other than Zenit, as people beyond Russia’s borders are already sufficiently familiar with Zenit; however, St. Petersburg is probably the only club that can afford what it will take to get Spalletti to Russia.

I do think a deal is already done and has been discussed for some time, but I have nothing but intuition and unconscious analysis to support that.

At Roma, it looks like they’re moving toward Claudio Ranieri, ironic because Spalletti nearly moved to Juventus to replace Ranieri with the Old Lady last May. Spalletti ultimately decided to stay, and after a frustrating summer in Rome and a spectacular summer in Turin, that decision looks like a mistake.

In a lot of ways, Ranieri is perfect for Roma. He is an accomplished manager, though he has become a bit associated with the criticism of not being able to get a team over the final obstacle. That criticism is not applicable at Roma right now. They want to stay near the top of the league but have no illusions about running with Internazionale and Juventus. Ranieri will keep the club competitive.

Ranieri also can’t complain too much, be it about salary (he is rumored to be cheaper) or players. He was fired at both Chelsea and Juventus and should be happy to remain with a relatively big club. If he can keep Roma competitive, it will be a success. He won’t be expected to produce trophies.

I have to feel for Roma supporters, though. This is a tough time in their history, and losing an iconic coach does not help.