As you’ll know well by now, Everton owners The Friedkins are back in favour at AS Roma at this moment in time.
They’ve spent the summer splashing the cash, Roma are back in the Champions League and the building work on their new stadium is expected to get underway next year.
It’s all very positive over in Rome about the American ownership at this moment in time. Certainly, more positive than it is at Everton anyway.
But not everyone who has an association with Roma is in love with the American ownership. Luca Fatiga is one such person.
Jose Mourinho praise
He was a part of Jose Mourinho’s staff at the Italian club when he was in charge from May 2021 to January 2024.
During that time, the Portuguese manager established a profound emotional connection with the Giallorossi fans and brought European success before parting ways due to declining results.
His departure was a shock, to say the least. And he believes it came about due to the Friedkins failing to go to war for the iconic manager.
“Mourinho had created a magical connection,” he told Retesport.
“I believe the ownership, which has embarked on a positive path, will have just one regret: not managing a great coach like ‘the Boss’ (Mou) well during that final year.
“A different course could have been taken; there was a unique sense of unity. You’d go into sporting battle for José without a second thought—and do so with joy. His greatest quality? Intellectual honesty.”
Gasperini luck
The Everton owners have since replaced Mourinho with Daniele De Rossi, Ivan Juric and Claudio Ranieri before then appointing Gian Piero Gasperini last summer.
He’s since led them back to the Champions League and is a firm fan favourite to boot. Fatiga, though, thinks the Friedkins may have touched lucky.
“We can rest easy regarding Roma: the team has a clear identity and a coach who is calm, something that is immediately apparent,” he added.
“He has never let himself get rattled by defeats or setbacks. We need to have faith in Gasperini.
“The coach’s words after the Roma-Juventus match last season marked the start of a new phase; many others would have lost their cool. Instead, he conveyed a sense of calm, and he continues to do so.”
