Francesco Totti hails ‘real Roma man’ Claudio Ranieri for revitalising the club and admits he would ‘gladly evaluate’ a return to the Giallorossi ‘if I was offered an important role.’
The legend was in attendance at the Stadio Olimpico last night to watch Bologna beat Milan 1-0 in the Coppa Italia Final.
He is a regular in the stands to observe his beloved Roma, who went from hovering above the relegation zone to challenging for a Champions League spot under Ranieri, their third coach of the campaign.
“Roma certainly changed with Ranieri, who brought great enthusiasm and is a real Roma man,” Totti told TRT Sport and the Corriere dello Sport.
“He did an extraordinary job, taking Roma from rock bottom to the Champions League places. This is a journey that certainly needs to be appreciated, and we are all very happy with him.”
Ranieri has already announced he will be retiring at the end of the season, sparking a sea change at the club and the search for a new tactician.
Could this revamp also see Totti return to the Stadio Olimpico after his ill-fated previous attempt at a directorial role?
“If the opportunity were to arise to have an important role at Roma, I would certainly evaluate it. Roma has always been my home, and if one day I were to be called, we’d sit down and evaluate everything.
“I was an important player for Roma, if I was offered an important role, I’d definitely consider it.”
Totti had a brief tenure as an advisor to the club, but left and complained he was given no real powers, feeling he was used more as a mascot than anything else.
When it comes to the Champions League, he is cheering on his fellow Italians Inter in the Final against Paris Saint-Germain.
“Their participation is a source of great pride for Italian football. Simone Inzaghi did incredible work, I hope that Inter can finally achieve the objective they are missing, which is the Champions League trophy, and bring it home to Italy.”
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