Francesco Totti says he would have liked the chance to play under Gian Piero Gasperini at Roma, joking that his previous experience of Zdenek Zeman’s demanding training sessions had prepared him for almost anything.
The former Roma captain was speaking to Sky Sport at the launch of his new book, Oltre, which examines his life since he retired from football in 2017. Quotes from the event were reported by TuttoMercatoWeb.
“This is my life from when I stopped playing to turning 50,” Totti said. “It’s another mini-career, with some more complicated moments, but they’re part of everyday life.”
Totti, who turned 50 last month, also reflected on the difficulty of ending his playing career. He spent his entire senior career with Roma, and his retirement brought an abrupt conclusion to a period he had hoped would continue indefinitely.
“Unfortunately there’s a beginning and an end,” he said. “I hoped that day would never come, but it’s part of the job. Turning the page isn’t easy, especially when it happens suddenly and you don’t know what the future holds.”
Gasperini is known for placing considerable physical demands on his players, but Totti had already worked under Zeman during the Czech coach’s two spells in charge of Roma.
Asked about the possibility of playing for Gasperini, Totti said: “Fantasising is nice. You sit on the sofa and think things over, and everything seems simpler.
“I’d have liked it. I know he’s a very tough coach who makes his players work hard. After Zeman, I think I can do anything.”
Totti was then asked whether he would prefer to give a copy of his book to Gasperini or Roma vice-president Ryan Friedkin.
“Both of them,” he replied. “I’ll leave one in Italian, but the other I’ll have to do in English.”
The former Italy international also discussed Roma’s strong start in the current race near the top of the table. Roma are third, two points behind Inter and Lazio, after Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Genoa.
Totti said the position of Lazio, in particular, had made the contest unexpected, while praising the significance of the teams’ performances for the city.
“It’s a great race, because nobody thought Lazio could be up there ahead of everyone with Inter, but Roma are right behind,” he said. “The city deserves this stage, and I hope Roma go the furthest.”
