Umar Sadiq’s coach at Roma, Rudi Garcia, sacked

He was also in charge when the teenage sensation banged in his first Serie A goal against Genoa in December.

After briefly leading Serie A early this season, Roma have slipped to fifth after one win in their last seven league games.

“AS Roma announces that it has relieved the first-team manager Rudi Garcia and his assistants Frederic Bompard and Claude Fichaux,” the club said in a statement on its website (www.asroma.com).

The club are close to appointing Luciano Spalletti for a second spell in the Italian capital, according to media reports.

Spalletti, who coached Roma between 2005 and 2009, wrote on his Facebook page late on Tuesday: “I’ll finish what I’ve started!” and posted a photo of himself with Roma captain Francesco Totti.