The Latest AS Roma News
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.
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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."
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." What they said after De Rossi's farewell: tributes from Dzeko, Nainggolan, Riccardi and more27/5/2019
Yesterday, for the 616th and final time, Daniele De Rossi played for his beloved hometown club - Roma.
Roma won 2-1 against Parma, but the result barely mattered. The night was all about the celebration of De Rossi's career and legacy, which has seen him represent the club with fierce pride and passion over the course of 18 years. There were plenty of tears among the sold out Stadio Olimpico crowd and his teammates, as De Rossi received a beautiful reception from his people. Here is a collection of tributes to De Rossi from after the game. Edin Dzeko on Instagram "Four years spent together, so many shared moments that always united us more, you were clear and strong in the difficult situations. "With your consistency you managed to make the group and squad overcome every difficulty for your beloved shirt and for your city. One moment comes to mind: 10th April last year. I get the penalty, you score it. The proof that with team unity no result is precluded, even the semi-final of the Champions League. "Thank you for everything."
Claudio Ranieri on Il Messaggero "Daniele told me, 'I am happy that I finish together with you this evening'." Radja Nainggolan on Instagram "Today I had a very important match to play. But I had to have a space for you. I wanted to be with you for your last match with Roma. We felt each other today and I can only tell you that with your answer I felt comfortable. I will always have a true friend. I have always held you in high esteem as a player but even more as a man. I send you a big hug."
Alberto Aquilani on Instagram "With this evening, an era closes. I am proud to have been a part of it, even if our paths split too soon. Together we have been through a lot, starting with this photo, when we hoped and dreamed together about the debut in the first team. Good luck for everything, Dani. And yet the wind still blows."
James Pallotta on Twitter "I'd also like to thank the supporters in the stadium for giving Daniele the farewell he so richly deserved last night. After representing the supporters on the pitch for 18 years, the outpouring of love and support from everyone for him was incredible." Roberto Mancini to Il Romanista "De Rossi is like Totti and Bruno Conti. Roma always has many players who manage to play their entire career with that shirt, and when the time comes to leave, it is a bit difficult for both the fans and the player. De Rossi has donated all his career to Roma and that is a very important thing." Erik Lamela to Sky Sport (via ForzaRoma.info) "It is strange to think of Roma without De Rossi. Daniele played for so many years with the same team, representing them like Totti did before. I am a bit sad because I know how much he loves Roma, but I am sure that he will be happy in life. He is a great man. "My first memory of him is when I arrived; he was a point of reference, together with Totti, two great men." Nicolo Zaniolo to Sky Sport (via Calciomercato) "I don't need to describe Daniele as a person and as a player. Today I felt so many emotions and chills for a person so beloved in this great city. I just hope to do half of what he did." Alessio Riccardi on Corriere Dello Sport "Thank you captain! It is all that I can say to you after welcoming me into the locker room. Thanks for always making me feel like part of the team even if I was the youngest. I thank you for every bit of advice given in training, I will take it with me forever. Living so intensely was something incredible. I still can't believe that it all ended yesterday, I wish that game had never ended. You are everything Roma." James Pallotta is interested in bringing Max Allegri to Roma, various reports in Italy claim.
Allegri confirmed earlier this week that he would be leaving Juventus at the end of the season, after guiding them to five successive Serie A titles. The 51-year-old is now being sounded out by a range of top clubs, and Roma are reportedly considering making a move. Claudio Ranieri will not be staying on as a permanent manager after overseeing the final 12 games of the season on an interim basis, meaning it is back to the drawing board for Roma. Maurizio Sarri looks destined to stay at Chelsea, while Antonio Conte has ruled himself out of the running. It was believed that Atalanta's Gian Piero Gasperini had then been placed at the top of Roma's list of targets, but with Allegri set to be available, it has prompted a rethink. According to Il Corriere Dello Sport, Pallotta has asked around for information on Allegri and his contract. It would be an ambitious plan, as Roma look set to miss out on Champions League football. Allegri was in fact close to taking charge of Roma when he was still at AC Milan, before he went to Juventus. Want Roma news, videos and features on your timeline? Like the new Giallorossi Yorkshire Facebook page! Transfer season is nearly upon us, and the rumours are starting to fly around.
To help you keep up-to-date with anything you might have missed, here is the Roma Rumour Roundup. Roma to target Ilicic According to Gazzetta Dello Sport, Roma will be locked in a two-way battle for Atalanta star Josip Ilicic in the summer. Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini has now moved up the pecking order in the race to become Roma's next coach, after Antonio Conte and Maurizio Sarri both distanced themselves from the job. If Gasperini does move to Roma - which would be unlikely if Atalanta finish the top four - then he will reportedly target 31-year-old attacking midfielder Ilicic, who has scored 11 league goals this season. Napoli are also interested, but are said to be concerned about his age. Wenger a managerial target Joining Gasperini in Roma's list of managerial targets is former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. The veteran coach is admired by James Pallotta's advisor, Franco Baldini, and Corriere Dello Sport believe he could be a candidate to take over on the Roma bench. Alternatively, Laurent Blanc or Shakhtar's Paulo Fonseca are also possibilities. Petrachi meets with Roma One man who could be key in the summer is Gianluca Petrachi, tipped by some to become Roma's next sporting director. Il Romanista claim that the Torino director met with members of the Giallorossi hierarchy earlier this week. Defensive reinforcements Corriere Dello Sport also suggest that Roma will need to raise over €50m in the event of missing out on Champions League, which means Kostas Manolas is likely to be sold. Arsenal and Juventus are interested in the defender, who would prefer to stay in Italy. To replace him, Petrachi could bring Nicolas Nkoulou or Armando Izzo with him from Torino. Sampdoria's Omar Colley and Atalanta's Gianluca Mancini are alternative ideas. Roma in battle for Gomes According to Liverpool Echo, Everton's on-loan Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes is attracting Roma's interest. It could take up to £30m to sign him. Nacho unsettled in Madrid Linked with Roma for an eternity, Spain defender Nacho has decided to finally leave Real Madrid in the summer, having fallen further down the pecking order, claim Marca. Could a move to Roma materialise after all these years? Want more Roma news on your timeline? Like the new Giallorossi Yorkshire Facebook page! Former Roma striker Antonio Cassano has revealed that he would like to see his old teammate Francesco Totti as the club's president.
Cassano enjoyed four-and-a-half successful years at Roma in the early 2000s, but left in acrimonious circumstances for Real Madrid in 2006. It was a move he came to regret, admitting that he would walk all the way back from Madrid to have the chance to play for La Magica again, while fans were left wondering what might have been had he stayed. Now, in an interview with Sky Sport 24, the 36-year-old has revealed his thoughts on how his former strike partner Totti would thrive in a more prominent role with the club, while also suggesting a surprise name for Roma's next coach. "[Claudio Ranieri] is a great person, I don't know if he can start a new cycle. I would like to see someone with the personality of [Roberto] Donadoni on Roma's bench. "I would like to see Totti as President, he represents Roma. He is an intelligent and balanced person. Joined by someone who can advise him on signings, he can make a great career. Roma is Totti, not [James] Pallotta or [Franco] Baldini from London." Cassano also suggested that current Roma captain Daniele De Rossi, a player he also used to share the pitch with, will go into coaching beyond his retirement. Eusebio Di Francesco has one game left to save his job as Roma head coach, according to various reports.
Di Francesco has come in for heavy criticism in the wake of Roma's shocking 7-1 loss to Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia on Wednesday night. With points also being dropped against the likes of Chievo, Bologna and SPAL earlier in the season, the pressure on the former Giallorossi midfielder has been mounting, and many expected the Coppa humiliation to be the final nail in the coffin. However, in the immediate aftermath of the game, Monchi moved to calm such speculation, claiming it was not the right time for punishments and that the group need to stay united to come out of this tough period. Moreover, Di Francesco ruled out resignation. "Any comment I make now would be superfluous," the former Sassuolo coach said. "We cannot afford to be embarrassed like that and behave that way during a game. It was a terrible performance in every area. "I want to make my evaluations with a cool head, not in the heat of the moment, because to be honest my mood right now is not the best. "I will reflect on the situation and I am sure the club will too. Tonight’s match confirmed some issues that had been only hinted at during the campaign. "However, I can rule out a resignation. That has never been a thought in my mind." Hence, despite the embarrassing defeat, it appears Di Francesco's job is safe - for now. Sky Sport Italia and Calciomercato are among those claiming that Di Francesco is likely to lead the team for the Serie A clash with AC Milan - who knocked Napoli out of the Coppa on Tuesday thanks to a brace from new signing Krzysztof Piatek - at the weekend, in a game which could finally seal his fate. The report indicates Di Francesco will almost certainly be sacked if Roma lose to the Rossoneri, with president James Pallotta prepared to veto Monchi's attempts to keep EDF in the role. Paulo Sousa has been identified as the most likely replacement. Roma president James Pallotta has been banned for three months by UEFA following his comments after the club's Champions League semi-final second leg with Liverpool last season.
Roma won the game 4-2, but were still eliminated on aggregate. However, some suspect refereeing decisions went against Roma, which Pallotta was quick to point out thereafter. Eusebio Di Francesco's side were denied two clear penalties when Trent Alexander-Arnold handled the ball in the box, and Edin Dzeko was incorrectly ruled offside before being brought down in the area by Loris Karius. Had the two penalties been given - and converted - Roma would have been in the final. Pallotta described the refereeing in the game as "embarrassing" and "absolute j0ke", and also highlighted the need for VAR to be introduced to the competition. When the American found out he was under investigation for those words, he said he was "dying of laughter." His comments did not sit well with UEFA, and he has consequently been banned from attending any UEFA games for the next three months. Roma have also been fined €19,000 for setting off fireworks during the game, as well as "insufficient organisation" and blocked stairways. A statement on UEFA's website said the governing body had decided to "suspend the AS Roma official James Pallotta for three (3) months from carrying out his function during UEFA competition matches in which he would otherwise participate, starting from AS Roma’s first UEFA competition match of the 2018/2019 season. In particular, the official may not be in the technical area or communicate directly or indirectly with the team's players and/or technical staff during the match and may not enter the dressing room or tunnel before or during the match." The ban only applies for Champions League games. |
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