Roma legend Francesco Totti believes José Mourinho and the club have already decided if they will continue together in 2023-24 and backs Luis Enrique to replace Luciano Spalletti at Napoli.
Totti worked under the Spanish tactician and Spalletti during his career at Roma and believes the former Barcelona boss would be ideal for replacing the Certaldo-born coach next season.
“He’d be perfect for Napoli. I like him, admire him and think he would do well,” Totti told Il Corriere dello Sport.
“Luis Enrique is a good and humble person. He has made history as a coach and footballer, and I think he’d be a good option for Napoli.”
Does he have anything in common with Spalletti?
“They are similar in terms of style of play for how they organise training sessions,” claimed Totti. “We’ll see if Aurelio De Laurentiis goes for Luis Enrique, but I think he’d be an excellent choice.”
Roma are preparing for the Europa League Final against Sevilla, their second consecutive European Final under Mourinho.
“I hope Roma can win, it’s a Final so anything can happen,” said Totti.
“It wouldn’t be a bad season if Roma lose because they’ve reached the Final which is what matters. Then, of course, winning it would be an important result.”
Mou has recently admitted that Paulo Dybala is in doubt for the Final and could play only 15 or 20 minutes in Budapest.
“I hope Dybala can recover, he deserves to play this game, I think he’ll do anything to be there, at least on the bench,” said Totti.
Mourinho is under contract with Roma until June 2024, but multiple sources in Italy suggest the Special One will leave at the end of the season.
“This is football, it’s his choice and I think he and the club have already decided, they will make an announcement after the Europa League Final. I don’t know what Mourinho has chosen, but I hope he stays.”
Totti, a World Cup winner in 2006, also praised Roma owner Dan Friedkin although some fans are unhappy that the American doesn’t make his voice heard enough.
“I can’t be involved in the club’s dynamics, but if they’ve taken this path, you have to respect them,” argued Totti.
“They’ve remained quiet since they arrived. Somebody else was talking too much, others don’t.”