Former Fiorentina Coach Paulo Sousa confirms “I’d like to” coach Roma one day – “I’ve always said that”.
The Portuguese has been linked with the Giallorossi, as Eusebio Di Francesco’s side have had a difficult start to the season.
“I’d like to, I’ve always said that,” Sousa confirmed when asked by Sky about being Coach of the capital club.
Former Fiorentina Coach Paulo Sousa confirms “I’d like to” coach Roma one day – “I’ve always said that”.
The Portuguese has been linked with the Giallorossi, as Eusebio Di Francesco’s side have had a difficult start to the season.
“I’d like to, I’ve always said that,” Sousa confirmed when asked by Sky about being Coach of the capital club.
“That’s my objective. After Fiorentina my expectations were different, to coach a team which could compete for the league and go far in the Champions League.
“The timing wasn’t the best for me and I had to make other decisions. But that’s my objective, if there’s Roma or a team like that I’ll wait.
“Have they called me? No, never. I like Italy though, that’s where I grew the most.
“It’s much more challenging, both in terms of the media and competing with my colleagues, there’s always the opportunity to create something.
“I really like Italian football.
“Roma are a very strong team, with a deep squad full of quality. They’ve made major investments in young players, but Rome is not Florence.
“You need to win and play well, not least because that’s what they’re used to.”
Sousa helped in the development of Federico Bernardeschi and Federico Chiesa, the former of whom has since joined Juventus.
“I don’t think there could be a better place for him to take the final step in his development.
“As for Chiesa, he has an amazing family behind him and his base, even on a personal level, leads me to compare him to Cristiano Ronaldo.
“He has the hunger to reach his objectives and go beyond them, and a continual desire to be the best and beat all his records.
“I think Chiesa needs to take that step to somewhere where there’s already a culture of winning, where he can win everything and mature in the areas where he’s lacking.
“That moment hasn’t come yet though, and his family are managing him very well. I think Fiorentina can help him.”
As a former Juve player, Sousa was asked if the Bianconeri already have the Scudetto sewn up.
“I think Inter have a chance. They’re built to win, physically strong with a deep squad and an experienced Coach [Luciano Spalletti] who has experienced players with a lot of quality.
“Juve, who always have the ability to buy the best, have a culture of winning though. That’s why they’re always difficult to beat, and they’ve started strongly this season.
“Cristiano Ronaldo has also had an important impact, not only for Juventus, but also for Italian football.
“He was, I think, nine years at Real Madrid, he won everything, then he chose Juve, because he knows that Juventus can guarantee him the chance to surpass himself, even at his age.”