Former Roma coach Paulo Fonseca warns Italy about Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo and confirms he called Nicolò Barella to convince him to join Roma.
The Portuguese tactician remained in charge of the Giallorossi for two seasons.
He held talks with Tottenham in the summer and has been linked with the Newcastle job more recently.
“I want a nice project, one team that believes in my ideas. I am free, but it doesn’t mean I want to accept any offer,” Fonseca told Repubblica.
“There have been rumours about some clubs. Some were true, others were just rumours. I prefer a club over a national team, but if the project is serious, I can’t rule anything out.”
Fonseca commented on the potential World Cup play-off final between Italy and Portugal in March.
The Azzurri have been drawn in the same qualification path as Cristiano Ronaldo’s side and the two countries could meet in the Final.
Italy will play the semis against North Macedonia, while Portugal will face Turkey. Both the semifinals and the Final are played on a one-leg basis.
“Fernando Santos is a good coach, we are so grateful to him for winning the Euros in 2016, but sometimes Portugal haven’t played as a team, we haven’t always fought all together,” Fonseca admitted.
“We missed the collective, which made Italy the best team at the Euros. I was convinced they’d win.
“Italy’s technical level is very high. Look at Nicolò Barella. I wanted him at Roma. I called him to convince him to move there. Mancini was able to build a great team. Many teams have talent but are not a team.”
Barella eventually picked Inter over Roma, completing an initial loan move with an obligation to buy from Cagliari in 2018.
“We can’t forget that Cristiano [Ronaldo] is 36,” Fonseca continued.
“He is the best scorer in history, but Portugal is more than just him. He is a terrific finished, but now many young and talented Portuguese players play in the best teams in Europe.”
Ronaldo, a former Juventus star, remains Portugal biggest threat for the Azzurri and former Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro explained how Italy can stop the 36-year-old should they meet in March.