Roma directors Franco Baldini and Walter Sabatini have insisted that the club had to sack Zdenek Zeman as their coach.

The 65-year-old was dismissed from his role on Saturday following a 4-2 defeat to Cagliari at home in Serie A on Friday that left the Lupi eighth in the league table.

"We decided to remove the coach from his post," director-general Baldini told reporters.

"This was the only decision we could make. We evaluated the situation and have given the team to Aurelio Andreazzoli, who has our faith.

"Knowing the players, this is the best decision to make at this moment. We spoke to all the management staff and the club owners gave me this responsibility."

Fellow director Sabatini added that he is "very upset"

"I am very upset at this situation," said director Sabatini. "The season will not end like this. Zeman was unlucky, but you'll see that the story does not end like this."

Zeman was appointed as the Roma coach at the start of the season.