Luciano Spalletti's sudden resignation as coach of Roma has taken Italy boss Marcello Lippi by surprise.

Spalletti ended his four-year stint at the Giallorossi helm this morning following his team's poor start to the Serie A campaign.

Roma lost 3-1 against Juventus on Sunday, having gone down 3-2 at Genoa a week earlier.

"I didn't think it would happen," said Lippi.

"I saw Spalletti before Roma's game against Kosice (last Thursday) and there was no indication that things would end up like they have."

Under Spalletti, Roma won two Coppa Italia titles (2007, 2008) and an Italian Supercup (2008) as well as three times finishing runners-up to champions Inter Milan in Serie A.

"In these five years at Roma he has done fantastic things," said Lippi.

"Roma have always been competing for titles until the end.

"I'm surprised because I was convinced that Roma and Spalletti had a very strong bond."

Roma are in talks to appoint former Juventus tactician Claudio Ranieri as Spalletti's successor.

The Rome-born Ranieri was sacked by Juve in May.

"Ranieri is a serious professional," said Lippi. "He has plenty of experience and, if appointed, I wish him the best of luck."