Former Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini insists that Coach Luciano Spalletti 'can win with Roma'.
After having explained his exit from the club, Sabatini went on to stress the importance of the current boss to the Giallorossi.
But is it true that his former side approached Antonio Conte back when Rudi Garcia was fired?
Former Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini insists that Coach Luciano Spalletti 'can win with Roma'.
After having explained his exit from the club, Sabatini went on to stress the importance of the current boss to the Giallorossi.
But is it true that his former side approached Antonio Conte back when Rudi Garcia was fired?
"This was a hypothesis that was circulated by other people," the 61-year-old told Pagine Romaniste. "But that's normal, what applies to players also applies to Coaches.
"There has been a need to change Coaches in the history of Roma, there have been contacts with Unai Emery, with [Marcelo] Bielsa, with [Marco] Giampaolo and many Coaches but this is just a part of the job.
"It is nothing new during moments when the Coaches had to be replaced for one reason or another, there have been contacts with many people and I must say also that some of these choices would have been wrong.
However, Roma chose the best that they could choose, the best for Roma and I would say for Italian football too.
"What has been done by Spalletti could not have been done by others."
Just how important was it to bring Spalletti on board?
"Critical. It was decisive because he brought with him his huge passion for Roma and with that passion he has led with competence, generosity, the desire to impose an idea, and a way of being.
"I hope that he continues to be the Coach of Roma for several years because I am sure he will be able to complete a cycle and to close it by making it a success."
There seems to be uncertainty over whether the Coach will remain at the club, with his contract expiring at the end of the season. Will he stay on?
"He lays down a condition which is very modern and it has to be understood.
"Spalletti expects a lot of himself, and therefore also expects a lot from the players, a result. If he doesn’t get a result, he has doubts and moves forward, in is a position of great courage.
"Spalletti is a brave man, he certainly doesn’t use the language which is the current habit in football, however, his position is crystal clear.
"It is said that in order to be Coach of Roma you need to bring something home.
"I guarantee that this is not recurring behavior, the first thing they do is to ask the Coaches to extend their contract, it’s a different position, even original, which also involves a responsibility to the dressing room and the players."