Former Roma vice-president and current Honorary President of Venezia Joe Tacopina blasted James Pallotta. ‘You need to dedicate time and passion to Roma, I hope he sells the club.’
Tacopina was part of the board of directors who originally took over Roma from Rosella Sensi back in 2011 and he left in 2014 for a new experience at Bologna, eventually leading Venezia from 2015.
Former Roma vice-president and current Honorary President of Venezia Joe Tacopina blasted James Pallotta. ‘You need to dedicate time and passion to Roma, I hope he sells the club.’
Tacopina was part of the board of directors who originally took over Roma from Rosella Sensi back in 2011 and he left in 2014 for a new experience at Bologna, eventually leading Venezia from 2015.
“I bleed Giallorossi colours, Roma remains the club in my heart and when I became their vice-president it was one of the best days of my life,” 54-year-old American businessman Tacopina told Tele Radio Stereo.
“Roma aren’t just a club to be controlled, you have to connect with people, you need passion. Pallotta is a very good manager, he has money, but you need to dedicate time and passion to Roma.
“It’s not enough just to come to Rome every couple of months, spend three days here and then leave. It kills me to see no trophies have arrived in 10 years, because I started this project. I was already working to buy Roma in 2008 with George Soros and then Unicredit. We finally managed it in 2011 with Baldissoni and DiBenedetto.
“I am very surprised that Roma haven’t won anything, as the club spent so much, the squad is worthy of the Champions League, so it’s incredible they haven’t even managed a Coppa Italia or a pre-season tournament.”
Pallotta was in advanced negotiations to sell the club to the Friedkin Group, but instead turned down their offer last week, further infuriating the Roma fans.
“I hope he sells to a group that can take Roma back to the top, that can have the ambition of winning the Scudetto or being competitive in the Champions League,” continued Tacopina.
“If the opportunity should arise, I’d be honoured to return and give my contribution to Roma. I do think the COVID-19 crisis has wiped about 20-25 per cent off the value of the club, so what Pallotta was asking for in January is just not feasible now.”