Coach Luciano Spalletti says it was 'only a misunderstanding' with Francesco Totti: 'He'll talk directly with the President'.
President James Pallotta landed in Rome today and will be dealing with a number of the club's issues, most notably the captain's difficult relationship with his Coach.
Coach Luciano Spalletti says it was 'only a misunderstanding' with Francesco Totti: 'He'll talk directly with the President'.
President James Pallotta landed in Rome today and will be dealing with a number of the club's issues, most notably the captain's difficult relationship with his Coach.
“Francesco is one of the important players available to me, but a Coach has to make different decisions,” Spalletti told Roma Radio. “I came here to coach Roma.
“He returned from an injury and now has been training well for some time. There was a misunderstanding between the two of us and we're both sorry about that.
“It's all fine. The situation is simple for him, he'll discuss it with the President and I have no intention of interfering.
“I hope that Francesco requests what his heart desires, because that's where he got his best inspiration from.
“If there is a confrontation, I'll be on Francesco's side, but without disturbing anything. I'm trying to have other players like Totti in the team.”
Spalletti then discussed Sabatini, who is another of the thorny issues Pallotta will have to deal with, as the sporting director is hardly popular in the capital.
“Before anything else I must convince the club that I'm the one who can stay here. If I can do that, and not just by my results in the league table, then I'd like to keep working with the people who are here.
“Sabatini gave evidence that he is among the best in his role.
“Against Empoli the team gave me a great response. Even those who didn't play proved to be hungry wolves.
“If I stay at Roma, I want the opportunity to compete for the Scudetto. I've already come second several times.
“There's little you can do against Juve's sequence of wins in the last few years, they showed great mental strength.”