Former goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon revealed two different occasions he almost joined Roma in his career and supported caretaker coach Daniele De Rossi.
De Rossi took over in the Giallorossi dugout a month ago after the club’s decision to sack Jose Mourinho following a 3-1 loss to Milan, ending the Special One’s 30-month spell in the dugout. He later described the dismissal as ‘unexpected and unfair’.
The former midfielder has impressed on the Roma bench, winning the first three of his four matches in charge so far. The club’s only defeat under De Rossi came last weekend, when they fell to league leaders Inter in a spirited 4-2 loss at home, a result that didn’t dampen the spirits in Trigoria.
Speaking to Radio Romanista via Calciomercato.com, Buffon opened up about the two times he was close to joining Roma during his playing career, the first prior to his Juventus move and the second before the arrival of Antonio Conte.
“In the summer of 2001, I moved to Juventus, which among other things was revealed in June, later than other clubs.
“A few months earlier, my agent went to speak to Barcelona, while at the beginning of May, at my house in Parma, Franco Baldini – at that time sporting director of Roma – came to visit and speak to me about the possible future plans for the Giallorossi.
“I liked the idea of playing with my friend Totti, I was young, and I was fascinated by a place with those peaks of enthusiasm, so the possibility was there.
“Just as there was more recently, in 2011, when Antonio Conte arrived at Juventus and forced me to stay. Without his arrival and above all without that veto, my transfer to Roma was becoming a concrete opportunity.
“So, there were some chances but, in the end, it went like this, it was nice and I think it was right.”
The former goalkeeper, who is now part of Luciano Spalletti’s Italy staff, then discussed Roma’s decision to bring in De Rossi to replace Mourinho.
“I talk to Daniele five or six times a year, I’ve already wished him good luck, I’ve already had the opportunity to say that there was no better man or professional to take the reins of Roma now and perhaps also for the future, especially after Mourinho’s departure.
“I believe that there was only one choice to make, and it was made. Furthermore, also from what he is showing in these matches, they are playing well, and I think he has many arrows in his bow to play at his best.”
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