Roma legend Francesco Totti insists José Mourinho needs time at the helm of the Giallorossi and refuses to rule out a return to the club.
The 2006 Italy World Cup winner has become Global Brand Ambassador of Roma’s main sponsor, Digitalbits.
Totti spoke about this new chapter of his career at a press conference on Monday morning, refusing to rule out a possible return to the club.
“Roma have nothing to do with this agreement, with it but I’ll have more time to talk to the Friedkins,” Totti said as quoted by Calciomercato.com.
Totti returned to the Stadio Olimpico for the first time in two years on Sunday but watched José Mourinho’s Roma trashed 3-0 by Inter.
It was the first Roma game in the Friedkin era that Totti attended at the stadium.
“I spoke to them [the Friedkins] before the match,” Totti said.
“It was special because I hadn’t watched Roma at the stadium for two years. When I watch Roma I feel at home, I thank the fans for their welcome and I hope to return soon.
“Surely, when it comes to Roma, there is always great emotion,” the former captain continued.
“As a fan, I can say that we are not going through a great time, but if you don’t suffer, you are not a Roma fan.
“We are accustomed to these ups and downs, but I am sure the club and Mourinho want to give satisfaction to our fans. Let’s give them time.
“You need strong players to win trophies, a club and a coach that help them feel at home. Players are the most important thing. I don’t want to disrespect the current team, but I don’t see champions there, only good players who can do well in a certain context.”
Where does he see him in ten years?
“I’ve changed already. I hope to do something that I like,” he said.
“I do everything with dedication, respect and desire as I did for 30 years with my Roma. It was my first home. I can say ‘my Roma,’ and I am proud of it, but I am not referring to anything.”
Totti served as Roma director in 2018-19, during James Pallotta’s reign. He resigned in June 2019 in a press conference where he said that ‘inside Trigoria there are people who don’t do Roma’s good.’
#Totti si lega di nuovo alla #Roma, ma solo con lo sponsor: 'Parlerò con i #Friedkin, in futuro…' https://t.co/BXzSKaumx7 pic.twitter.com/3spIFGnkTg
— calciomercato.com (@cmdotcom) December 6, 2021
Totti has made an honest assessment of the current situation at Roma. The squad needs a lot of improvement in key areas. There is no magic in football and if it exists, Mourinho is the only one who can do it. Winning things under the most unlikely situations even with clubs that he was deemed to have failed. The club needs to do an objective assessment of the team and take serious proactive steps to improve it. I believe they have the right man. But they need to shut out the press and not be deceived by their malicious antics. Look back in the direction of the former clubs and you will see that he was not the problem.