Roma president Jim Pallotta insisted coach Paulo Fonseca's future "is not in doubt", even though a top-four finish in Serie A now looks beyond the club.

Back-to-back defeats to Milan and Udinese have left the Giallorossi 12 points adrift of in-form Atalanta, who have won nine in a row in all competitions.

Last season was the first time Roma had finished outside the top three since 2012-13, and the prospect of missing out on Champions League football again has led to scrutiny on Fonseca's position.

Luciano Spalletti – who has been tipped to return to the capital as Fonseca's possible successor – told his former employers to stick with their current boss, which Pallotta stressed the club intend to do.

"Paulo Fonseca's future is not in doubt," he wrote on Twitter.

"He has my full support. Forza Roma."

Former Shakhtar Donetsk boss Fonseca was appointed as Roma boss in June 2019 on a two-year contract, with the option to extend his stay by another 12 months.