GENOA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 28: Former Roma captain Francesco Totti reacts before the start of 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 has admitted that he would have enjoyed playing for Roma under Gian Piero Gasperini and joked that he could do anything after Zdenek Zema’s training methods.
Quoting via TuttoMercatoWeb , the former Roma captain spoke to Sky Sport during the launch of his new book covering his life since retirement in 2017. “It’s another mini-career with more complicated moments, but they’re part of everyday life.”
Totti, who turned 50 last month, admitted that it was difficult to leave the game. “Unfortunately, there’s a beginning and an end. I was hoping that day would never come, but that’s part of the job. It’s not easy to turn the page, especially when it happens suddenly and you don’t know what the future holds.”
Totti Gasperini, Zeman and Scudetto race
Gasperini is known for his demanding training but Totti had already undergone grueling training under Zeman, who had coached him for two spells.
“It’s nice to fantasize. You sit on the sofa and think about everything and everything seems simpler,” he said. “I would love it. I know he is a very strict coach and makes his players train hard. After Zeman, I think I can do anything.”
When asked if he would like to give a copy of the book to Gasperini or Roma vice-president Ryan Friedkin, he replied: “Both. I have to release one in Italian and one in English.”
Roma are third, two points behind Inter and Lazio, after Saturday’s 2-0 win over Genoa.
“It’s a great race because nobody thought that Lazio could be ahead of everyone with Inter, but Roma are right behind,” Totti said. “The city deserves this stage and I hope that Roma will go the furthest.”