ROME (AP) Former Roma midfielder Eusebio Di Francesco was named manager of the Serie A runner-up on Thursday, charged with ushering the Giallorossi into a new era following the retirement of longtime captain Francesco Totti.
Roma announced that Di Francesco had signed a two-year contract to replace Luciano Spalletti, who left to coach Inter Milan.
Di Francesco played for Roma for four seasons from 1997-2001, helping the Giallorossi win Serie A in 2001.
The 47-year-old Di Francesco coached Sassuolo for the last five seasons, guiding the club up from Serie B in 2013 to a sixth-place finish and Europa League qualification in 2016.