Going Two goals up before the break, Roma were headed for their first victory of the season yesterday until Marko Di Vaio’s brace restored parity and meant that they shared the spoils with Bologna. Last night’s result has left question marks on Ranieri’s future as Roma’s poor start to the season continued. After a stellar season last year leading the Giallorosso to a runner up position in the league, many expected Roma to continue in the same fashion this season.

However, that is not the case. Roma are now 16th on the table with 2 points from 3 matches. To make things worse for Ranieri, the club has decided to freeze talks of his contract extention.

The club directors were particularly not impressed with their losses to Bayern Munich in the Champions League and Cagliari in the league causing them to rethink their plans on offering the 59 year old an extension.

With the club in deep debt, Ranieri’s 2.7 million Euro pay package is considered too much for someone who is not delivering success. This and the tension between him and star player Francesco Totti could see him leave by the end of the month.

Roma host Inter on Saturday at the Stadio Olimpico and it is believed that anything other than a win for Roma will get Ranieri sacked. There are still no clear favourites for Ranieri’s job but whoever takes up his place will have a mammoth restoring the teams winning formula.

Photo credit: from Jacopo J. Modesti