Ex-Roma director Walter Sabatini explains why he turned down a job at Bologna and criticised Mattia Destro for his “attitude.”
The transfer guru has been linked with a possible future at Tottenham Hotspur, but could’ve gone to the Stadio Dall’Ara last summer.
“Bologna was a wonderful option, but they had and still have the need for immediate results and I could not have guaranteed that,” Sabatini told Rete7.
Ex-Roma director Walter Sabatini explains why he turned down a job at Bologna and criticised Mattia Destro for his “attitude.”
The transfer guru has been linked with a possible future at Tottenham Hotspur, but could’ve gone to the Stadio Dall’Ara last summer.
“Bologna was a wonderful option, but they had and still have the need for immediate results and I could not have guaranteed that,” Sabatini told Rete7.
“If I had gone to them over the summer, I would’ve basically been working a little for Roma and a little for Bologna. It was important to guarantee transparency and I would not have been 100 per cent present.
“So, with regret, I turned down the proposal. I am very disappointed about that now, especially as my epilogue with Roma was a little depressing.
“I insisted on leaving Roma because it was the only real alternative for me in the circumstances. I am a Roma fan and always will be, but I also cheer on Bologna.”
Sabatini brought Destro to Roma, but he struggled and is now trying to revitalise his career at Bologna.
“He needs to do much more. He has often been hit by injury problems, but arrived at Roma like a thoroughbred stallion. In terms of goals per minutes played ratio, he will remain in the statistics as a great striker, but I am not happy with his current attitude at Bologna.
“I always follow the players who passed through with me. Destro is too irritable and easily upset, which is frankly not the right approach to have on the field. He remains a very good player, though.”
Sabatini is famous almost more for his chain-smoking than his deals on the transfer market.
“I never thought about quitting. When the last two draws on the cigarette arrive, I feel a little disappointed and immediately want to light up another.
“I must’ve spent the equivalent of a two-bedroom apartment in Piazza di Spagna on cigarettes. I tend to take about three minutes to smoke one, but if I’m stressed then it can be under two minutes.”