Sporting director Monchi leaves Roma

Milan, March 8, 2019 (AFP) - Roma sporting director Monchi left the Serie A club by mutual consent on Friday a day after coach Eusebio Di Francesco was sacked, the Italian team confirmed.

The 50-year-old Spaniard's exit follows Roma's Champions League last 16, second-leg defeat at Portuguese club Porto with former Leicester and Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri poised to return as head coach of Roma.

"I want to thank Monchi for the dedication he has shown over the past two years," said AS Roma CEO Guido Fienga.

Monchi -- full name Ramon Rodriguez Verdejo -- spent 17 years as a sporting director at Sevilla, a club he also represented as a player, before joining Roma in 2017.

"I would like to thank President (James) Pallotta, the club's management, staff, players and fans for their support during my time at the club," said Monchi.

"I wish Roma a lot of success in the future."

Monchi has been linked with a move to Arsenal having worked with head coach Unai Emery at Sevilla, winning three successive Europa League trophies between 2014 and 2016.

During his time in Sevilla he helped discover players such as Dani Alves, Sergio Ramos, Jose Antonio Reyes and Seydou Keita, and at Roma signed players such as Javier Pastore and Justin Kluivert.

But Roma have struggled this season and are fifth in Serie A, three points off the Champions League berths for next season, after falling 3-0 last weekend to city rivals Lazio.

Federic Massara will take over the club's sporting operations, Roma added.

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