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If you're a manager in Italy, beware. Your job probably isn't safe. That's because many clubs in Serie A are looking for new managers to lead them next season. Inter Milan definitely will have a new manager following the sacking of Stefano Pioli this week. Fiorentina, AC Milan, and, of course, Roma, are all said to be considering new coaches. One name appears to be very popular. Eusebio Di Francesco, 47, has proven himself to be one of Europe's brightest young managers. After guiding Sassuolo to Europa League qualification last season, a remarkable accomplishment, he has continued to progress his managerial career, despite his team standing at a lower league position this year. He has had his first taste of European football, bowing out in the group stage, and has been the driving force behind the continued progression of talented young players such as Domenico Berardi. Di Francesco had been rumoured to be at the centre of Fiorentina's search to replace Paulo Sousa, but Pioli now appears the favourite for the role in Florence following his departure from the San Siro. This has opened the door for Di Francesco to return to Rome. As a player, he won the Scudetto with Roma in 2001, the highlight of his four years with the club. His links with the Giallorossi have continued into his coaching career; whilst at Sassuolo, he has worked with Roma youth products such as Luca Mazzitelli, Matteo Politano, Federico Ricci and Lorenzo Pellegrini. If he were to take the helm at the Olimpico this summer, he would be a good leader for any potential returning young players looking to make the transition to Roma's first team. And that's exactly what Mediaset Premium are claiming today; Di Francesco already has an agreement in place to take over at Roma for next season. I Lupi are reportedly willing to pay the €3m buyout clause in his contract at Sassuolo, which runs until 2019. Di Francesco would be a very good appointment for Roma and would help lead the team forward into an exciting new era. It would be very positive if the rumours are true, and we see the former midfielder in the Roma dugout next season.
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Another day closer to the summer transfer window, and therefore another day of rumours about incomings and outgoings at Roma.
Antonio Rüdiger, once again, is attracting the attention of some of Europe's biggest clubs - big clubs with big budgets. There have been rumours of a €40m offer from Inter for the German international, whilst clubs in the Premier League are also interested. Another interested party appears to be Bayern Munich, champions of the Bundesliga. And should that transfer go through, another defender may move in the opposite direction. Jerome Boateng has fallen down the pecking order at the Allianz Arena, and could be signed by Roma as a replacement for Rüdiger, say Corriere Dello Sport. Like Rüdiger, Boateng can operate as a centre back or a full back, and is also a fully fledged member of the German national team. At 28, he is at a prime age for a defender, and could adapt well to Serie A. That said, Rüdiger is also a very good player, who has done well in his two years in the capital. His range of qualities have seen him pick up 23 appearances this season, after an injury caused him to miss the start of the campaign. What are the chances of him leaving? Potentially high, if he continues to be attacked by racist abuse in Italy. The club may also need to sell in order to bring in other players, in what promises to be an intriguing transfer window under the guidance and wisdom of Monchi. It's not an ordinary occurrence for your team to be on the winning end of a 4-1 score line, and for you to call for your manager to be replaced by your opponents'. But that's exactly the situation facing Roma today.
In the wake of Sunday's victory over AC Milan, Roma manager Luciano Spalletti, whose future is already subject of immense speculation, commented in the press that he would never have taken the Roma job if he had have known what his second spell would be like. Confronted by frosty journalists criticising his (mis)use of Francesco Totti, the Tuscan coach reached breaking point and struggled to find a rational reaction to the lines of questioning. (You could possibly infer from his answers that the only two options he considers for Totti are him playing five minutes at the end of a game, or not playing at all, further showing his inability to effectively manage the legend's playing career). Spalletti's contract expires this summer, and you would be a brave gambler to place money on him being Roma manager next season. Milan's new Chinese owners may also be looking for a new manager as they enter their first full season at the helm of the club. Corriere Dello Sport reports that this could prompt a merry-go-round of managerial changes. Spalletti is heavily linked with the Inter Milan job, as their chances of appointing Antonio Conte or Diego Simeone appear to be decreasing. As Vincenzo Montella may be pushed out at Inter's rivals, he could fill the role in the Roma dugout earlier than expected (as reported earlier this week, he said in the build up to the match that he would consider a return to Roma in the future). The benefits of a club legend stepping up to the managerial role would be massive for Roma. The club needs an ambitious young coach who understands how AS Roma and the city of Rome work. They need someone who has managed at a good level before, preferably with Serie A experience. And someone who has won trophies with Roma in the past. Montella fits the bill perfectly. Of course, he is not the only option. PSG's Unai Emery has been linked with the job, as has former Villarreal coach Marcelino. Sassuolo's Eusebio Di Francesco, who has achieved remarkable things with the Neroverdi, and is also a former Scudetto winner with Roma as a player, also might be considered for the role if he moves on from his current club. It's all rumours at the minute, but the club's supporters can be assured that there is a list of top targets drawn up to replace Spalletti for the upcoming season. Montella would likely seize the opportunity to work at the club he made history at again. He would look forward to testing his abilities in Champions League football (which would be guaranteed if Roma finish second this season). And it's almost certain that the Roma faithful would welcome their former striker with open arms if he was to be appointed to the role. Montella Refuses To Dismiss Roma Return, Sensi Calls Out Pallotta and Spalletti, Manolas Agent Speaks: A Brief Summary of Roma Related News In Today's Media
Tomorrow sees Roma partake in a very important away match against AC Milan at the Giuseppe Meazza, facing a team led by a Roma legend, Vincenzo Montella. Montella scored 84 goals in 192 games for Roma, featuring for the club in nine different seasons, before hanging up his boots in 2009. After this, he went on to take charge of Roma's under 15 side, and was appointed Roma's interim manager for a brief spell in 2011. Asked if he would consider a return to Roma's dugout in the future, Montella remained coy, suggesting he may like to manage i Lupi when they move into Stadio Della Roma. Elsewhere, former Roma president Rosella Sensi has publicly criticised James Pallotta for the long distance he is overseeing the club's affairs from. She discussed how she was disappointed by the way Francesco Totti's contract situation has been managed, suggesting Il Capitano himself would make a better president. She also criticised Luciano Spalletti's apparent inability to manage Totti well, saying a great coach should be able to manage any player. Sensi even suggested the club's hierarchy may be attempting to finish Totti's career as soon as possible, as a method to entice a Spalletti renewal. Finally, Kostas Manolas's agent has stated that the decision on the player's future lies in Roma's hands. Once again, a number of top European clubs have been linked with the Greek defender, with Inter Milan the apparent favourites for his signature. However, the player's agent has denied any talks with Inter and has claimed it is up to Roma whether his client will be sold or not. Should Spalletti replace Stefano Pioli at Inter this summer - it's not unfeasible - the strength and likelihood of the rumours may increase. However, for now, Manolas's place of employment is in the capital. It now looks certain that Luciano Spalletti will leave Roma in the summer, leaving the club with a search for a new head coach.
Reports today suggest that former Sevilla manager Unai Emery is, despite boasting a career best win percentage in his debut season in France, equally unlikely to carry on as PSG coach beyond this season, prompting rumours of a reunion with his former sporting director Monchi at Roma. 45-year-old Emery is a well-respected coach who has a history of winning trophies and has a proven winning formula with Monchi. Should he not win Ligue 1 with PSG this year, the club will be disappointed given their financial dominance, and will likely relieve him of his duties. They are currently three points behind Monaco having played one game more, and they have just three games left to turn it around. An ambitious coach, Emery would fit the Roma model well, and it would be a test of his tactical abilities to work in a new league. His exciting brand of football would be something for Roma fans to look forward to. Much will depend on PSG's final league position. |
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