Roma are growing in confidence that they will have Carlo Ancelotti in charge next season with the Italian under increasing pressure to keep his job at Chelsea.
Ancelotti is the Serie A club's top target to take over following the resignation of former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri last night.
The Chelsea manager was already facing a tough task to stay at Stamford Bridge following Chelsea's drop to fifth place in the Premier League and things are looking even more grim after Everton knocked them out of the FA Cup on penalties.
Owner Roman Abramovich has become increasingly concerned over the players' poor form as well as results, although has been keen to give Ancelotti, who won the Double last season, time to turn things around.
Chelsea still have the Champions League to fight for but their last-16 tie against FC Copenhagen, the first leg of which is in Denmark tomorrow night, is now looking a much tougher proposition.
Ancelotti has made no secret that he would love to manage Roma one day having spent eight years of his playing career there.
Roma are expected to ask former striker Vincenzo Montella to step up from being youth coach to take charge for the rest of the season but they are optimistic Ancelotti will be available in the summer.
Abramovich will have to sack the 51-year-old, whose £6million-a-year contract runs out next year, because he has vowed not to resign.
Ancelotti said: "I have never quit, resigned or walked out and I'm not in the mood to quit now. So I am not here to consider my position - it is the owner that has to consider my position, not myself. I just have to work and try to do my best. You have to have confidence."
