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Roma winger Diego Perotti is hoping he will be able to flourish under Paulo Fonseca after being struck by the new head coach's "sincerity" and "honesty".
Fonseca, who was appointed early in June as Claudio Ranieri's successor, will be the fourth coach Perotti has worked under at Roma, and the attacking midfielder is confident they will be a good match. Perotti told Roma TV: "I certainly want to do better than last year, I would like to start from scratch and do everything as new. Last year I could barely play, I approach this pre-season with a great desire to be available to the coach. "What struck me most about the mister was his sincerity, both when he spoke in the press conference and when he spoke in private. What we said, I keep to myself, but it was very sincere and honest. "He comes from a good team, he won a lot and has experience that can help us win something. I have always liked Portuguese coaches and I hope to do well." With the departures of Kostas Manolas and Stephan El Shaarawy likely to be followed by that of Edin Dzeko, Perotti will be one of the most experienced players in the squad next year, and he will be eager to make more than the 15 appearances he managed in an injury-ridden campaign last season. Like the new Giallorossi Yorkshire Facebook page!
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Paulo Fonseca insisted he had no fears as he was presented to the media on Monday afternoon, with the new head coach making a vow to get Roma back into the Champions League.
Fonseca's first pre-season with Roma gets underway this week, as he prepares for his first taste of coaching in Italy. At his first press conference - in which he made an introduction in Italian, promising to get to grips with the language quickly - he reiterated the level of his motivation to succeed at Roma. "It will not be my Roma, but everyone’s. I am motivated, together with the management and the players, to build an ambitious side that makes our supporters proud," he said. "We are working hard to build a strong team and we are studying our needs. We are pondering the choices in order to bring quality to the team. We made three purchases [with Pau Lopez completing his medical today], we’ll let you know when there’s more. We are carefully considering our choices, to bring quality profiles to reinforce the team. "[James Pallotta] has not set concrete goals, but I am forcing myself to immediately get us back into the Champions League. Another priority is to build a strong and ambitious team. "We always want to win, but we still have to make our supporters proud even when we don’t do so. We’ll get close to the finish line if we can achieve this. I won’t promise anything, but it’s my belief. "I have a two-year contract here with an option for an additional year, but I am convinced that we can win something. It is not a promise but a conviction." When asked for comment over the futures of Nicolo Zaniolo and Edin Dzeko, the Portuguese tactician responded thus: "I will start with Zaniolo: he has great talent and we believe in him. But what I’ll say to him is true to anyone who is part of the current squad - they must demonstrate in training that they deserve to wear this shirt. "I have huge ambition and I think we can do so many things with this team and this talent. The most important thing is the presence of players who want to sacrifice themselves for this shirt and put the interests of the team ahead of their own. "As for Dzeko, I haven’t spoken to him but Gianluca [Petrachi] has had the chance to do so. I want people to stay here who are motivated and happy and want to fight for this club. This is a fundamental condition: I want players dedicated to the cause and willing to pursue the goals of the team." Fonseca also suggested that Alessandro Florenzi and Lorenzo Pellegrini could be the captain and vice-captain for the upcoming season. "Florenzi was the captain of the team and it is a question that we will analyse. The probability that he will continue to be so is very high. "I know these two players well because I have faced them and watched many Roma matches. For me, it is important to get to know them well — not only on the pitch but from a character point of view, getting to know them as men. This isn’t true only for them. "As for their roles, we’ll have to see and analyse things calmly. To close this talk: we often talks about the needs of a team. I will demand something from both my players and the club." Fonseca finished by reaffirming his belief that his project at Roma can be successful. "I am here because I am convinced that I can elevate Roma to the next level. The league is difficult and very tactical, which is one of the reasons why I’m here in Italy. I believe that together we can build something special. "I don’t base my decisions off economic considerations but on how I’m feeling and the sensations I get. After I spoke to Petrachi, I didn’t hesitate. I had no doubts. This is why I’m here and tomorrow I’ll start working because I want to build something special. "Fear is a feeling I don’t know; I’m not afraid. The results are what matters. The manager is the results." Kostas Manolas' proposed move from Roma to Napoli is virtually complete, with Amadou Diawara set to head the other way.
Manolas is set to be sacrificed so that Roma can balance the books, which will bring an end to his five-year stay with the club. The Greek defender has made more than 200 appearances in that time, and is perhaps best remembered for scoring the goal which completed Roma's extraordinary comeback against Barcelona in the 2017-18 Champions League. Sky Sport's Fabrizio Romano revealed yesterday that the operation to send Manolas to Naples is complete, with Roma earning €34m from the transfer. Meanwhile, Diawara will join Roma for €18m plus €2m in bonuses, having been requested by new head coach Paulo Fonseca. Gianluca Petrachi has worked quickly to find Manolas' replacement, with Gianluca Di Marzio reporting that Roma's new sporting director has had lunch with the agent of Real Betis' Marc Bartra today in view of a potential move. Bartra, who has experience playing for Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund under his belt, would cost around €20m. Roma CEO Guido Fienga has confirmed that Franco Baldini has no official role within the club - but still has a close relationship with James Pallotta.
Baldini has drawn the wrath of the fans due to his role in the decision not to offer a new contract to Daniele De Rossi, while he was also cricitised by Francesco Totti upon his departure from the club. Despite few of Baldini's calls proving to be successful, Totti admitted that the final decisions will always be made by the former sporting director. At a meeting for club shareholders at Trigoria, Fienga revealed the extent to which Baldini is involved with the running of the club. "Baldini is a consultant of the majority shareholder," he explained. "He has no role in the governance of the company. "The management of the company is a collective that elaborates the strategies and determines their execution. The definition of the strategies and the decisions of them belong only to the management of this company. "Since I assumed the position of chief executive, starting from the choice of [Claudio] Ranieri, up to the selection process of the new sporting director, passing through the appointment of the new coach, Paulo Fonseca, it all happened through a decision-making process managed and finalised by the management of this company.” Even though he played a big role in assembling the last Roma side to win the Scudetto, Baldini is swiftly losing popularity among the fans - but it appears his influence will continue despite Fienga's comments. Paulo Fonseca has revealed his excitement at the challenge that lies ahead after he arrived in Rome.
Fonseca will take charge of his first pre-season with Roma having signed a contract earlier this month, and the Portuguese coach spoke to Roma TV of his enthusiasm about the job having seen the facilities first hand. "To be coach of Roma is a great pleasure. I'm very excited and very motivated," he said. "It's a big challenge also, but I believe we can make together great things in Rome. "When Roma invited me, I stayed very excited. To be coach of Roma is a great thing, and I didn't think twice, because to be coach of Roma, I think, is one of the main goals of most of the coaches in Europe. "Like I said, I'm very excited and motivated for building something special here, something different with my ideas. And I believe we can make great things here." Fonseca agreed to become the new head coach after meeting with club president James Pallotta in London, and the former Shakhtar boss shed some light into what was said. "[We spoke] about everything, about my ideas, about the club, about the ideas of the president. I think it was a great meeting. I felt the support of the president; I felt he was also very excited with everything, with my ideas. I loved the meeting a lot. "The offices are very beautiful, it's new. The atmosphere seems amazing to me. I arrive here just now and will see the facilities at Trigoria. But the first impression is amazing." Fonseca has a tough job ahead of him, as he will have to lift a squad that finished sixth in Serie A last year back to where they belong. But he is confident that he is well-equipped to overcome the challenge. "First of all, I'm more experienced. It was a great experience in Ukraine. We had big success at Shakhtar. "I feel this is a different challenge. Calcio is different than in Ukraine. But I'm ready to start working, to start to pass my ideas, with a big, big motivation." The 46-year-old has faced Roma before, when his Shakhtar side were edged out in the Champions League two seasons ago. Despite losing on that occasion, Fonseca has fond memories of the encounter. "I remember everything about the Stadio Olimpico. I remember this game very well - we lost 1-0. It was difficult for me at that time, but I felt the great atmosphere in the stadium and I hope I can feel this atmosphere at every game. It will make us better, because I think we will need this support a lot. And I believe the supporters will be there at all games to support us, like they supported in that game." The hard work will soon start for Fonseca and his new squad, as they will have to begin pre-season early in view of the Europa League qualifiers. And the tactician is confident his players will adapt to his methods. "I have my ideas and I want to implement my ideas. But the main thing is to build a courageous team. This is the main goal. And I believe with these players, we can build a courageous team, a team who can play without a problem with the biggest teams, with the small teams. I want to see courage in my players; I want to see courage - and quality also - in our game. "First they need to know my ideas. Of course, we have to bring motivation for these players. The players have a lot of quality, and I think with our way to play, they will grow up a lot, they will improve, and with this, the team will improve also. "But like I said, I want courageous players, because it will not be easy to play our game. I believe a lot in the quality of these players. We can build a great team." Fonseca's interview concluded with a message for the fans. "I want to say to the fans that we want to build something special, something that will let them be proud of the team each game. Like I said, we will need the support of the fans. I think, all together, we can build something great, a way to play, to make them proud. This is the most important thing, but we believe the supporters will be with the team."
Your weekly video update of Roma transfer rumours, as the Giallorossi set about meeting new coach Paulo Fonseca's needs.
Francesco Totti has confirmed his resignation from his role as a director at Roma, but insisted it was an "arrivederci", not a goodbye.
Totti has been a director since he retired from playing in 2017 - a decision that was made by the club rather than himself. However, he is now leaving that position as well, complaining that he was not given enough responsibilities. It means that, for the first time this century, Francesco Totti is no longer employed by AS Roma. At his farewell press conference - at which no other club officials were present - Totti confirmed the reasons for his departure. "It was not my fault because I never had the chance to express myself. I was never involved in a genuine technical project. In the first year, that can happen. In the second, I realised what I wanted to do and we never got together, never helped each other. "They knew my intentions and what I wanted to do, to give so much to this club and this team, but they never wanted me to, in all honesty. They excluded me from every decision. "Everyone knows they made me stop playing. They wanted me to stop. I had a six-year contract already as a director. I started quietly, realising it's a completely different sphere to being on the field. "Many promises were made and they were never kept. They knew what I wanted. Naturally, as time goes on, you judge, you evaluate, as I too have a character and don't just sit there doing what they every now and then ask me to do. "I did it for Roma, but as time wore on, I didn't think it fair to put myself at the disposal of people who never wanted me to be there. "The main focus of certain people has been to remove Romans from Roma. In the end, the truth came out, because they achieved what they wanted. "Over the last eight years, since the Americans came in, they tried in every possible way to shove us to one side. As the years went on, they tried everything they could... It's what they wanted and in the end, they succeeded." Totti also hit out at Franco Baldini, who has been advising James Pallotta on the club's decisions, with his viewpoints often at odds with the will of the fans. "The rapport with Franco Baldini has never existed and never will. If I made this decision, it's only normal that there were misunderstandings, problems within the club. "One of us had to go, I stepped aside because you can't have too many people sticking their oar in and causing chaos. Everyone should do their own job and leave the others to get on with their own work, that'd allow everything to run smoothly. "You can do all the talking you want from Trigoria, but the last word will always come from London. There was no point telling people what was wrong and what needed fixing, as it was a waste of time. Nobody listened, they just listened to the word from London." Another key club figure to bear the brunt of Totti's criticism was Pallotta. "A player can always find an excuse, as when things go badly, he says, 'Oh, there's no president here, nobody who tells us how things really are', and this causes problems for the squad every weekend. In my view, it does damage. "I've said before that the president needs to be present more, because when players, directors and staff see the chief, they stand to attention and work the way they ought to. When the boss isn't there, they start doing what they want." The former captain then gave some insight into what role he would have liked to take on. "If I made this decision, then it means I was unable to do anything. I never felt a part of the project, above all on the technical level. Not to big myself up, but I think I have a good eye to see who is a good player and who isn't. "I don't want to do other things, because this is what I feel that I'm good at. With my experience, and I admit I'll make mistakes, but I can recognise talent in a player." Even though Totti admitted he was not saying goodbye to Roma forever, he confirmed that he will not be returning as long as Pallotta is in charge. "Many things made me think about this. I was never allowed to participate, they called me in to I think 10 meetings over two years. They'd always call me at the last minute, as if they were trying to keep me out. After a while, that starts to really weigh on you. "It shows a lack of respect not for a director, but for a person. I tried to bring something to this club, but I saw the thought process on the other side was different. "If I were to return to Roma, we'd need a new owner. First and foremost. If the new owners believed in me, then that would be great. "What I can say is that I will never hurt Roma. This is far worse than retiring as a player. Leaving Roma is like dying. I feel like it'd be better if I died. "So many have told me over the years that I am too much of a weight on this club. That I get in the way. "I wouldn't return if Baldini left, because what's happened has happened. The vase is broken, it cannot be put together again. They made their choice and if they were going to remove Baldini, they would've done it already. "I have nothing against Pallotta and Baldini. They made their choices and I respect that." One of the main issues Totti had a lack of input in was the appointment of the new coach, Paulo Fonseca. "I never talked about or asked about money. I asked to be a technical director because I think I am competent at finding good players. I never asked to run everything. "I asked to make the same decisions as everyone else, but if they get a new coach, get players, sell players and don't ask you, then what kind of a technical director am I? "I didn't go to London because they called me two days before and had already struck a deal with the coach. I don't even know if they've chosen a sporting director. "The only coach I ever called and spoke to was Antonio Conte. It is not true that I called or sent a message to [Gian Piero] Gasperini, [Gennaro] Gattuso or [Sinisa] Mihajlovic. It's all fantasy. "So if they act like I made all these calls and was turned down, yet they made one call to Fonseca and he accepted, no. I will not be made to look like a fool. There is zero truth to it. "I thank [CEO Guido] Fienga publicly, as he is the only one in the club who stood up in front of everyone and said if he were in charge, Totti would be the first choice as technical director. He was the only one who ever stood up for me. "The only coach I ever called along with Fienga was Claudio Ranieri. I made a decision the others didn't want and it was done thanks to Fienga. "I also thank Ranieri, as he would've come to Roma for free. He is a real man. We didn't talk about money, the team, he immediately said: 'Tomorrow I will be at Trigoria.' "Roma fans should be thankful to Ranieri and I am so glad the fans did that during Daniele's last game. "Guido Fienga and I called Conte, before Pallotta knew about it. I said the only one who can transform Roma right now is Antonio Conte. He had given us the all-clear, as we saw and talked to him many times, but then there were problems and he changed his mind." Now, Roma look to an uncertain future without Totti or Daniele De Rossi, who was not offered a new contract by the club despite nearly two decades of service - something which angered his former teammate. "I never got involved in the De Rossi decision. I had already told some directors in September that if you think this is Daniele's last season, tell him straight away, not like with me where you told me two rounds from the end. "He is the captain of Roma, he has to be respected. They all said yes, we'll evaluate, we'll consider, he got injured, the results weren't coming, Di Francesco and Monchi left, it all became more complicated. "The problem at Trigoria is they need to be done straight away, not allowing time to pass. People are scared to make decisions. There has to be one person who makes a decision, not 10. "I talked to Daniele as a friend, not as a director. I told him to look forward, look beyond. I was a Roma director, I couldn't say too much, but as a friend I gave him advice that there could be problems on the horizon. "The problems did arrive, just as they did with me. What I don't understand is if they did this because it's what they wanted to do or if they just didn't think about it. "From what I've seen, it's what they have always wanted: to remove the Romans from Roma." Totti then revealed his thoughts on Roma's current predicament. "Fonseca has to find an environment that is relaxed, with a clear path ahead of him. People already admire him for how he put himself at the disposal of the club. From what I've seen, he is a fine coach who can do well and was very impressive at Shakhtar. "I wasn't ever going to change Roma, but at least give a contribution. Many promises were made, very few of them real. As a fan, that disappoints me, because as a fan, I have dreams of seeing Roma compete at the top. "Even if we don't win the Scudetto, we can compete and maybe win a trophy or two. Unfortunately, there are financial problems and they have to be respected. "If we have to sell because this year we are running at a loss of €50-60m, we can't sell youth players and get that amount of money. We have to sell important players. That's how it works. This isn't a surprise to anyone. "If I was the president of Roma and had two icons like Totti and De Rossi, I'd put them in charge of everything. They have ethics, they know everything about what it means to be Roman and Romanista. "Pallotta surrounded himself with the wrong people and he only listens to them. Everyone makes mistakes, but if you make the same mistakes for eight years, you have to ask yourself some questions. Something clearly is going wrong. "Did someone stab me in the back at Trigoria? Yes. I will never name names, but there are people in there who don't want me there. These people are hurting Roma, not doing what is best for the club. "Pallotta isn't there, he doesn't know what's going on, but I do. I know it like the pockets in my jeans. I know everyone from the usher and cleaners to the chiefs. I grew up in there. I know what the problems are, the resources, who is talking badly behind people's backs. "If someone talks behind another person's back to you, then imagine what he says when you're not there. I think Pallotta in Boston only gets a tenth of the real truth reported back to him. "Over the last few weeks, they tried in every way to keep me there, but via third parties. In two years, I never heard directly from Pallotta or Baldini. They have never called me or sent a message directly "What would you think in that situation? Would you feel loved and wanted there? No, if I make mistakes, that's fine, tell me to my face. None of it ever happened. "As far as I am concerned, I was cumbersome for this club. People told me both as a player and a director that I am a burden. It hurt more this time than to leave as a player, because it's like leaving your mother." When asked if he would thank Pallotta for anything, Totti amicably replied: "I thank him for giving me the chance to stay at Roma, to work and learn a different role. I got to know things as a director that otherwise I never would've known. I thank him so much for that. "Let it be clear: I want Pallotta to succeed and I hope he can take Roma back to where they belong, at the top. I hope he can get the right advice and achieve greatness. "I spoke to Pallotta only once, when I retired as a player. I went to London with my wife and Baldini was there. That is literally the only time we spoke face to face about anything. "I never thought after 30 years of Roma that I'd be here saying goodbye to Roma. I never imagined it. "Pallotta needs to understand Roma and the real problems within Trigoria. I hoped to discuss many things with him, but I never got the opportunity. "I don't want anyone thinking I am against Pallotta or want him to fail, because Roma is Roma and the rest is irrelevant. I just hope that from today, he changes tack. "I don't think they realise what they're doing here, because they don't live in the city, experience the TV, the radio, the papers. Being a Roman, understanding what it means to be Roman, is completely different. You have to be here to realise it. "I am sure that the message coming through to Boston is only 1% of the reality. I hope they can realise what they've been doing in removing the Romans from Roma, but evidently that was their choice and what they wanted. "I am not angry, I am not going against Pallotta or Baldini. I am just explaining why I resigned." Another decision where Totti's input was not taken seriously was the decision to sign Javier Pastore instead of Hakim Ziyech last summer, a move which turned out to be a disaster. "I will not name any players out of respect. I returned from vacation the first year that I retired, they asked me for an opinion on a player and I said that at this moment he would not be good for Roma, because Di Francesco plays 4-3-3. He is in another role, he's had a thousand injuries, in my view, you'd need another player. "Other directors said I always complain, that I cause problems, that I create issues. They asked for my opinion. I would've made a different choice and I think it would've been the right one. "I would've chosen an Ajax player." That was one of many decisions that highlighted the clear discord between Di Francesco and Monchi, which irked Totti. "After a Champions League semi-final, you think next year, you must head to the final. But selling players, and I want to defend Di Francesco - although I want to be clear Monchi chose him, not me, I made no decisions - he asked for four or five players who were never signed. "It's too easy to hide, because the truth hurts. The coach may well have made mistakes, but he asked for four or five players and they signed zero." The first Roma Rumour Roundup since Paulo Fonseca's appointment as head coach, featuring updates on Fred, Ismaily, Edin Dzeko and Javier Pastore.
Fonseca asks for Fred According to Il Romanista, one of Fonseca's first requests to the Roma hierarchy is to sign Fred. The midfielder impressed under the Portuguese coach at Shakhtar, but has struggled for continuity since joining Manchester United last summer. The report claims Fonseca wants Roma to take Fred on a two-year loan. Ismaily price tag set Another of Fonseca's former pupils, Shakhtar left-back Ismaily has been tipped to follow his coach to Italy this summer - with the rumours only increasing after he followed Roma on Instagram. Corriere Dello Sport say that the Donetsk club want €20m for him. Coach confirms Dzeko exit Bosnia-Herzegovina manager Robert Prosinecki has issued an update on the future of his captain, Roma striker Edin Dzeko - telling CalcioNapoli24 that the 33-year-old has informed him that he will be leaving the club, for another Italian side. Inter are thought to already have an agreement with him. Fonseca urges rethink However, in a fresh twist, Tele Radio Stereo say that Fonseca wants to try and convince Dzeko to stay at Roma until the expiration of his contract next year. Whether or not Roma are in a position to do this financially can be scrutinised. Primavera striker wanted in return Roma's Primavera side were eliminated from the Final Eight by Inter this week, with Sebastiano Esposito scoring a brace for the opponents. According to Tuttosport, Roma will ask to sign him as part of the operation to send Dzeko the other way. Ponce nears Russia switch One forward who is also expected to leave is Ezequiel Ponce, who demonstrated good form on loan at AEK Athens last season. The Greek club have confirmed that they will not exercise their option to buy him, though, and Sport Express in Russia say that Spartak Moscow will offer €8m to sign him. Turkish side want Gerson Another player who spent last season on loan away from Roma who could leave permanently is Gerson, with Fotomac reporting that Besiktas want to sign the midfielder. Karius another option for goal In a second rumour coming out of Turkey, Besiktas' on-loan Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius could enter the sights of Roma as they search for a new number one, as per Fotospor. €18m stopper eyed from Spain Alternatively, La Repubblica say that one keeper Roma could target is €18m Real Betis man Pau Lopez. Midfielder eyed as Petrachi compensation La Repubblica also carry a story saying that Torino have asked Roma for Javier Pastore on loan with an option to buy as a makeweight for sporting director Gianluca Petrachi potentially heading to the capital. Gianmarco Cangiano from the Primavera could also move north to Turin. Pavoletti offered for Defrel The president of Cagliari has made no secret of the fact that his club are interested in signing Roma's Gregoire Defrel. According to Il Tempo, the Sardinians will offer Leonardo Pavoletti the other way as part of the deal. Roma make striker enquiry Another striker who could make the move to Rome is Andrea Petagna. According to Il Messaggero, Roma have asked for information on the former Atalanta man, learning that he is valued at €25m. Genoa await Fonseca judgement on target According to Tuttomercatoweb, Fonseca must evaluate young winger Mirko Antonucci, who is wanted by Genoa. Former Roma defender Aldair has suggested that Roma need to add to their squad if Paulo Fonseca is to be successful at the club.
Fonseca was appointed as Roma's new head coach on Tuesday, after interim boss Claudio Ranieri decided to step aside. The Portuguese tactician arrives from Ukraine, where he led Shakhtar Donetsk to three successive league and cup doubles. The reaction to Fonseca's appointment has been generally positive, and Aldair - who won the Scudetto with Roma in 2001 near the end of an iconic 13-year spell - also believes that the 46-year-old has the potential to do well. "Fonseca is good, Roma have chosen well but now they need strong players," he admitted to Leggo. "Roma have taken the right path, Paulo is prepared, intelligent and ready for the big jump. But he must be supported by the directors and the players. "Roma is a difficult place for a player who comes from abroad, let alone a player. I know it well. "I won the Scudetto when I had practically finished my career. We did it when champions like Cafu, Batistuta and Emerson arrived. That's why I say that Roma, above all, need important and ambitious players as well as a good coach." Aldair also commented on the departure of captain Daniele De Rossi, who is expected to choose the second club of his 18-year career soon, after not being extended by Roma. "I'm sorry for the controversies," reflected the Brazilian. "For him it must not have been easy after so many years. I think he still wants to play though." Roma have officially announced the appointment of Paulo Fonseca as their new head coach.
Fonseca takes over the reins from interim manager Claudio Ranieri, who replaced Eusebio Di Francesco in March. The 46-year-old - who arrives from Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk - has signed a two-year contract with Roma, with the option for a third year. His salary is believed to be €2.5m Fonseca's track record at Shakhtar makes for encouraging reading. In three seasons, he won the league and cup double three times, also adding the Ukrainian Super Cup in 2017. Previously, he has managed in his native Portugal, where he won the main national cup with Braga in 2016, and the Super Cup with Porto in 2013. “I am very pleased to be appointed the head coach of AS Roma,” Fonseca said in the official announcement on the club's website. “I want to thank the club’s management for the opportunity they have given me. I am excited and motivated by the task ahead of us. “I cannot wait to move to Rome, meet our fans and get started. Together, I believe we can create something special.” Fonseca becomes the first ever Portuguese manager in the club's history. Benvenuto, Paulo. |
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