Totti: ‘Ranieri a real Roma man, I would consider important role’

GENOA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 28: Francesco Totti, former captain of Roma, reacts prior to kick-off in the Serie A TIM match between Genoa CFC and AS Roma at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on September 28, 2023 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)

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.

Totti proud of Ranieri impact at Roma

“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.

Totti cheering on Inter in Champions League Final

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.”