Francesco Totti has revealed that he would like to become Roma's Coach once he retires from playing.
Francesco Totti has revealed that he would like to become Roma's Coach once he retires from playing.
The 38-year-old yesterday picked up the Giacinto Facchetti award at the Gazzetta dello Sport’s annual awards, and today spoke with the publication.
“I would like to become Roma's Coach, of course,” Totti mused in the candid interview.
“You know that just a few days ago I was talking with a friend and told them: ‘[The ex-players] are doing it all. I think that eventually, [coaching] will also appeal to me’.
“Maybe I'll start with the kids, although perhaps there is no need at the moment. After all, it doesn't take players of my ilk long to learn.
“I'd only [play my son Cristian] if he deserved it. It would lead me to some discomfort for sure, but I would never have any problems with Cristian. He's a good boy.”
Totti briefly took issue with his Coach Rudi Garcia during Roma’s 3-0 victory over Torino in Week 11, but he insists that the chapter had since closed, before outlining his side's objectives for the rest of the season.
“It was an instinctive reaction. I was suspended for the next match, Torino stopped playing and I could smell goals, and so there was a little bad feeling,” the forward continued.
“These things happen, however, and it stopped there. In the dressing room, we cleared the air immediately.
“Our goal is to win the League title. The team are even stronger than a year ago and Garcia, the boss, says we are better than Juventus, but it's up to us to prove it.
“And Napoli? They are the third strongest – it will be a duel between Roma and Juventus.”
Also on the agenda was the 7-1 defeat to Bayern Munich, and the difference to the one Totti experienced against Manchester United years before.
“I didn't expect the 7-1 defeat to Manchester United. At home we did well to win, and I thought that we could get to the semi-finals. Instead [United] made history in the way that they did.
“Against Bayern we knew that we could lose, but certainly not to that extent. [Manuel] Neuer is also a phenomenon.”
Finally, Il Capitano confessed that he would exchange his 2007 Golden Shoe award for another Serie A title with Roma, although he was less forthcoming about exchanging his World Cup winner's medal in return for Champions League glory.
“Yes, [I'd swap it],” he considered. “As for a Champions League instead of the World Cup? I'd have to think about it, but maybe I could …
“FIFA should give a Ballon d'Or to each position, because if not then Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will always win it.”