Luciano Spalletti has confirmed he has resigned as coach of Roma after starting the season with back-to-back defeats. Claudio Ranieri is expected to be confirmed as the club's new boss on Wednesday.

Spalletti met with club executives to discuss the way forward after Sunday's 3-1 home setback to Juventus and tendered his resignation.

"I have given my resignation and the club have accepted it," ANSA news agency reported him as saying on Tuesday.

The 50-year-old Spalletti has been in charge of the Eternal City outfit since 2005.

He survived a dismal start to the 2008-09 campaign but came into the new season walking a fine line after the team's sixth-place finish which was not good enough to reach the Champions League.

Roma fans were also left disappointed with the team making no big-name signings in the summer. Defenders Nicolas Burdisso from Inter Milan and Marco Motta from Udinese were the most significant acquisitions.

Injuries in the pre-season have also not helped with Simone Perrotta, Juan and Cicinho all still recovering from muscular problems.

The new season got off on the wrong foot with a 3-2 defeat at Genoa followed by Sunday's 3-1 home loss to Juve. Roma will travel to Siena on September 13.

Ranieri's agent, Mattia Grassani, told Italian media: "An agreement has been reached. Ranieri will sign a two-year contract with Roma tomorrow [Wednesday] before being unveiled to the media.''

Ranieri started his playing career at Roma and is delighted to have been offered the chance to guide the Giallorossi.

"This is a great satisfaction for me,'' he said. "This is a dream come true as I follow a professional journey that began many years ago. I am honoured and convinced I will be able to do and give the best for Roma.''