Claudio Ranieri insists he has the backing of the Roma dressing room despite talk he is set for the sack.
Under-fire boss claims he has players' support
Roma coach Claudio Ranieri insists he has the backing of the dressing room despite speculation he is about to lose his job.
The Italian club have been virtually ruled out of the Serie A title race after a poor run of domestic form, picking up just one point from their last three games.
Rumours have surfaced that Roma's players have turned on Ranieri and that the 59-year-old is facing the axe.
However, the coach claims he is not at fault for the club's recent dip.
Backing
"The coach is like the husband, he's the last to find out about certain things," said Ranieri following a question about his future.
"I have the backing of the team. Three or four months ago I spoke with the players and asked them: Are there problems with me, because if there are I'll go.
"They said no and so here I am. I did it because there's no point denying it, we're having a difficult season."
Boardroom uncertainty behind the scenes has not helped the club's situation as the current owners search for a buyer, and Ranieri insists it has affected results on the pitch.
He added: "Obviously the club's situation that we're going through has had an influence."
French centre-back Philippe Mexes has reiterated the players are fully behind Ranieri, and says they take responsibility for the recent slump in form.
Fault
"It's true, the boss has said many times: if you don't like me, I'll go," said Mexes.
"We're giving our all but it's the players who are at fault not the boss.
"We're going through a certain period and we've got to get through it as quickly as possible.
"Unfortunately I can't explain certain dips in tension, maybe it's to do with lack of confidence, we're not managing to realise that we're capable of overcoming the difficulties.
"We've got a blockage and we're not exploiting our form and our potential."
