Claudio Ranieri is proud to be back with AS Roma after being named new coach.

The former Fulham manager today replaced sacked Eusebio Di Francesco until the end of the season.

Roma have also parted company with director of sport Monchi and practically all the fitness staff.

“It means so much for me to return to Roma, it means everything," Ranieri told Roma TV.

“I have always been a fan, I've been a player and a Coach here. It had been a long time since I've been unable to sleep, but last night after finding out it could be me, I couldn't sleep. That's a good sign. I was too happy.

“My Romanness ties me to Roma, from San Saba to Testaccio and playing in the streets. Roma was in my DNA. My whole football life is tied to Roma.

“When I was a player at Catania, we had the play-off in Rome, so before stepping out into the stadium, I made them play Antonello Venditti's club anthem to fire up the team. Everything ties me to Roma."

He continued: “It was a long, but wonderful day. When you do things with pleasure, you don't feel pain. I found that many things have changed at Trigoria.

“I have certainly changed too. When I started out 32 years ago, football was a different sport. If I have been called in by Roma, it means I've kept up to date. I never lose the desire to improve and I am a better Coach now than I was two years ago."