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Francesco Totti has described Lorenzo Pellegrini as "phenomenal" and revealed his enthusiasm for Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
The former Roma captain may have left the club's board of directors this summer, but will always keep a close eye on his boyhood team, and he hopes that fellow Roman Pellegrini can continue his good spell of form after scoring his first international goal for Italy in the 3-1 win over Mkhitaryan's Armenia. "I have always believed in him," Totti told Sky Sport. "A phenomenal player. It is only up to him to continue at these levels." On Pellegrini's opponent that day, but new teammate at club level, Totti is confident that Mkhitaryan will make a positive impression. "He can bring quality and quantity. He has done well in the past, there were a couple of years where he played and didn't play, but I hope that at Roma he finds his home. "The people will appreciate him because he has so much technique and will to show it." Totti is not the first to reveal his excitement for Mkhitaryan, with current striker Edin Dzeko also suggesting the former Borussia Dortmund playmaker will be a hit at the Stadio Olimpico.
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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. Former Roma captain Giuseppe Giannini has criticised the way Francesco Totti was treated by the club.
Totti walked out of Roma on Tuesday, citing a number of factors as a 30-year official association with the club came to an end. Giannini was Totti's idol as a child, and now the former midfielder has given his take on the situation. He told Il Tempo: "At Roma, the most important decisions are made by people who are far away, who don't live at Trigoria and then take the credit for the good things, from a distance. I'm really disappointed with the company in recent years. "Francesco isn't stupid. He himself asked for time because he didn't feel able to play a role as he wasn't ready yet. But this time was not granted to him because, in fact, as he said, he was an inconvenient character, like all the Romans, as I clearly was too." Asked for his opinion on club president James Pallotta, Giannini said: "The same as Francesco explained, he spoke as a director but also as a man. I would have done the same thing." As for Totti's next role, Giannini believes it will only be a matter of time before he is back in work elsewhere. "I don't think he will have trouble finding a role that's suitable for him. He's certainly not a kid now. But he has definitely finished with Roma." Want more Roma news on your timeline? Like the new Giallorossi Yorkshire Facebook page!
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." All of Monday's Roma-related rumours from the press, including updates on Cengiz Under, Mirko Antonucci and two new goalkeeper suggestions.
Under in contract negotiations According to Turkish Football, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal remain interested in Roma winger Cengiz Under, who is valued upwards of €50m. Roma are currently trying to tie him down to an improved deal, despite his contract already running until 2022. Willems confirms Roma interest Dutch left-back Jetro Willems has confirmed his intention to leave Eintracht Frankfurt this summer, name-checking Roma as one of the clubs who are interested in him. The 25-year-old former PSV man told VTBL that Newcastle United are also hovering. Roma losing in Di Lorenzo chase One player who has entered the thoughts of Roma is Empoli right-back Giovanni Di Lorenzo, who could be signed in the event of Rick Karsdorp leaving. According to Tuttomercatoweb, though, Napoli are currently ahead of the Giallorossi in the battle to sign the 25-year-old. Antonucci and Frattesi returns considered According to Calciomercato.it, Roma are looking at the youth they have available for next season. Winger Mirko Antonucci could return from his loan spell at Pescara (turning down fresh offers from Sassuolo and Brescia), while Roma could exercise their €10m buyback option on midfielder Davide Frattesi, who was sold to Sassuolo as part of the deal that brought Lorenzo Pellegrini back to the capital in 2017. Frattesi has spent this season on loan at Serie B club Ascoli, where he has been a key player. Former Juventus keeper considered It is common knowledge by now that Roma need a new goalkeeper, with Antonio Mirante set to return to being backup next year despite his impressive run of form. Gazzetta Dello Sport state that one of the names under consideration by Roma is Valencia's Neto. The 29-year-old previously played in Serie A for Fiorentina and Juventus. Gasperini to go for Perin Another alternative idea for the goalkeeper role has emerged. One of the main names linked with becoming Roma's next coach is Gian Piero Gasperini, and according to Calciomercato.it, if the Atalanta tactician does arrive at Trigoria, he might want to be reunited with Juventus goalkeeper Mattia Perin, who he used to coach at Genoa. First contact made with Bielsa Over the weekend, Leeds United's Marcelo Bielsa was linked with the head coach role at Roma, and according to Sky Sport Italia, James Pallotta's advisor Franco Baldini has made the first contacts with the Argentine. However, the Yorkshire Evening Post report that Bielsa is increasingly likely to stay with Leeds for a second season. Totti to become technical director Corriere Dello Sport claim that Roma are set to give a more defined role to former captain Francesco Totti, after two years of an unspecified 'director' position. The 42-year-old is set to become a technical director, making more decisions on recruitment of players and coaches. Want more Roma news on your timeline? Like the new Giallorossi Yorkshire Facebook page! The agent of Roma starlet Nicolo Zaniolo has revealed that the chances of him signing a contract extension are very high.
Zaniolo has been one of Roma's better players this season, despite his previous lack of Serie A experience. The attacking midfielder has contributed six goals and two assists in all competitions, becoming a trusted member of the first team. Inevitably, his form has seen him linked with a move away, with the likes of Juventus, Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid all interested. To warn away potential suitors, Roma have been planning an improved contract for the 19-year-old, but recent comments suggested things might not be as straight forward as planned. Zaniolo's agent, Claudio Vigorelli, recently claimed that nobody from Roma had contacted them over the renewal since Monchi left, responding to comments from Francesco Totti that negotiations are done in twos. This was a cause of concern, putting the likelihood of Zaniolo staying in doubt. However, Vigorelli has now provided some more reassuring comments. "I can only confirm our will to sign with Roma. I believe, however, that it is clear and understandable to all how there is the need to restructure Nicolo's contract," he said to Il Romanista. "I don't think I'm a visionary, saying that compared to 12 months ago the boy's situation has profoundly changed. It's enough to say that for several months I have been receiving a flood of telephone calls from many important clubs, I won't tell you who from, who offer their availability to sign him. Nicolo, however, is concentrating only on Roma, to achieve fourth place that is worth the Champions League. "In the recent past, I had spoken first with Monchi and then with [Ricky] Massara about the future of Zaniolo, we had promised to talk it over after Easter, at most at the end of the season, all we have to do is wait for the call from the club." 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. Francesco Totti has revealed that he feels more pressure in his current role as a director than he did in his playing career.
Totti assumed a role as a club director following his retirement from football in 2017 - even if it did appear that he wanted to carry on playing. However, he has since continued his loyalty to the club by representing them off the pitch, in a role in which he is being given an increasing amount of responsibility. Asked in an interview with Bein Sport whether he feels more pressure as a director than a player, the ex-captain said: "I have another job, very challenging, very passionate and I have undertaken it with the right spirit, as if I was still a footballer. A new adventure has started and I am very happy. "Now there is more pressure. As a player you always managed to find some flashes of inspiration; this new role is different - it is more difficult." Totti, a World Cup winner in 2006, was also quizzed about the Italian national side, and he pointed to the plethora of Roma players who are currently doing well for the Azzurri. "[Roberto Mancini] is doing a good job, he has the chance to coach this national team full of young talent. Fortunately there are several Roma players: Cristante, Pellegrini, El Shaarawy, Florenzi, Zaniolo... players who for us are fundamental and the club is happy to have these internationals that can wear our colours all over the world." Totti has been tipped to have more of a say in Roma's transfer dealings following the departure of sporting director Monchi, and the King of Rome will be returning to the playing field on Thursday evening for a charity match against a team of Formula E drivers. The 42-year-old will also play against a team captained by Luis Figo - who has claimed that Totti deserved to win the Ballon D'Or in his career - in a six-a-side match in Rome in June. Francesco Totti releases his autobiography today, on the day of his 42nd birthday.
The legendary ex-Roma captain spent his entire career with the Giallorossi, writing many historic stories on the pitch. Now, they will be documented off the pitch, in a book entitled 'Un Capitano.' It has been co-written with journalist Paolo Condo, and is published through Rizzoli books. Totti will unveil the book in a presentation at Rome's most iconic landmark, the Colosseum, today. The autobiography will give a fascinating insight into the life of Roma's greatest ever player, who will tell some famous and some less well-known stories about himself first-hand. It will be a great memento for Roma fans, who will be able to re-live his greatest moments, recounted in his own words. The book has already caused some controversy, with Franco Baldini leaving his role as a member of Roma's executive committee, as reported by Il Romanista. In 'Un Capitano', Totti suggests it was Baldini who was the driving force behind the club's decision not to offer Totti a new contract in 2017, leading to his enforced retirement. Baldini has reacted with the stance that his position at the club is now untenable. The autobiography will undoubtedly shed light on further interesting and revealing topics such as this. A portion of the profits will go to good causes, another example of Totti's commitment to those less fortunate than him. He has been an ambassador for UNICEF since 2003, and his support for children will continue, with some money set to be donated to children's hospitals in Rome. 'Un Capitano' is available to order online, although only an Italian edition has been released so far. Despite his claims in the past that he wouldn't be interested in becoming a coach, La Gazzetta Dello Sport claims that Francesco Totti is set to take a coaching course.
The course would eventually lead to the attainment of his UEFA A Licence Coaching Badge, equipping him with the skills he would need to become a top coach. Following his retirement at the end of last season, Totti has been exploring several different careers in football in his director role with Roma. He is understood to have played a large part in the signing of Patrik Schick, for example, which is set to be confirmed later today. |
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