Francesco Totti rues how Luciano Spalletti became a ‘different’ person, hopes Lazio ‘suffer a blackout’ and admits Sampdoria ‘wanted me at all costs’ in 2017.
Totti famously fell out with Spalletti during his second tenure as Roma boss – a far cry from when the No 10 won the 2007 European Golden Shoe in part thanks to the coach.
Francesco Totti rues how Luciano Spalletti became a ‘different’ person, hopes Lazio ‘suffer a blackout’ and admits Sampdoria ‘wanted me at all costs’ in 2017.
Totti famously fell out with Spalletti during his second tenure as Roma boss – a far cry from when the No 10 won the 2007 European Golden Shoe in part thanks to the coach.
“They were two different people: the first Spalletti was a top guy because he was like a second father to me. He was someone I was with for almost 24 hours of each day,” he told Sky Sport Italia.
“The second Spalletti will have had his reasons or listened to other people. I won’t say that he was out to get me, but things certainly didn’t go in the best way with him.
“I always tried to keep my head up and do my best during his second tenure, even if I was having problems.”
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“As a Roma fan, I hope Lazio can break down as soon as possible. You have seasons when nothing goes wrong, but I hope they suffer a blackout!
“Simone Inzaghi’s one of the best coaches in Serie A, he’s doing great things and I have a great relationship with him, but I’d be happier if he was coaching another team.”
Finally, the 43-year-old said he ‘fully respected’ Daniele De Rossi for leaving Roma to join Boca Juniors.
He also revealed Samp tried to sign him a second time before he hung up his boots.
“I fully respect what Daniele did, everyone is free to do what they see fit. At the end of my career, I received offers above all from abroad, but also from Italy.
“Sampdoria wanted me at all costs. Ferrero has a soft spot for me and he would’ve done anything to get me there.
“I had doubts. I wanted to keep playing because I felt I could still give something, but ultimately it would’ve done nothing for me.
“I had only one idea in my mind: to wear only one shirt. All my 24 years’ worth of memories with Roma would’ve been erased, so I decided to retire.”