Claudio Ranieri named new AS Roma manager

New AS Roma manager Claudio Ranieri. [Courtesy]

Claudio Ranieri has been named the new manager of AS Roma until the end of the season.

The 67-year-old finalised a deal after arriving in the Italian capital on Friday.

President James Pallotta told the club’s website that they hired Ranieri to ensure Roma finish in the highest possible Seria A position and secure qualification for the UEFA Champions League.

"We are delighted to welcome Claudio Ranieri back to the club. We have one objective remaining this season and that is to finish in the highest possible league position and secure qualification for the Champions League.

"At this stage of the campaign, it was important to bring in a coach who knows the club, understands the environment, can speak the language and is able to motivate the players. Claudio ticks all of those boxes and he's very excited to take on this challenge,” said Pallotta.

An ecstatic Ranieri said he was happy to return to Italy and could not turn down the offer.

"I'm delighted to be coming back home. When Roma call you, it's impossible to say 'no',” he said.

Roma are fifth in the Serie A, three points outside the top four which would ensure qualification for Europe's top-tier competition.

The Italian club sacked Eusebio Di Francesco on Thursday, after being knocked out of the Champions League in extra-time on Wednesday night, beaten 3-1 at Porto to lose 4-3 on aggregate.

Roma sacked Eusebio Di Francesco on Thursday. [Courtesy]

Ranieri managed Roma between 2009 and 2011, leading them to a second-place finish in Serie A and the Coppa Italia final in 2010.

The experienced manager was sacked by Fulham in February, with the club 19th in the English Premier League.

His first match is a home Serie A game against Empoli on Monday.