Foti praises Mourinho's legacy and backs Gasperini as perfect fit for Roma
Opinion·23 May 2026·1h ago

Foti praises Mourinho's legacy and backs Gasperini as perfect fit for Roma

Source: Forza Roma

Salvatore Foti, former assistant to José Mourinho during his time at Roma, reflected on his experiences with the club in an interview with Corriere dello Sport. Foti, now a free agent after his spell at Sampdoria, expressed deep affection for his years at Roma, describing his appointment as Mourinho's vice as a moment when he felt "happy as a child on Christmas morning." He recalled the 2022 Europa Conference League final in Tirana with vivid detail, revealing that Mourinho's pre-match team talk lasted only thirty to forty seconds, with the manager simply stating: "I don't need to tell you anything, we just have to take the cup and bring it to Rome. There was something magical created."

Foti acknowledged that the subsequent elimination from the Europa League in Budapest the following year still pains him, saying he couldn't watch Europa League matches with peace of mind and experienced nightmares for weeks afterward. Regarding Gian Piero Gasperini's appointment as current head coach, Foti endorsed the choice, saying "Of course he is. The facts prove it. He is one of the best in Italy and I am happy for many of our boys." He mentioned maintaining contact with current Roma players Lorenzo Pellegrini and Gianluca Mancini, describing Pellegrini as a special person.

Foti also addressed Mourinho's dismissal in January 2024, noting that the sacking of the manager and his entire staff was difficult for everyone involved.

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L'ex vice dello Special One: "E' stata un’esperienza che ti entra dentro completamente, quando mi chiamò ero felice come un bambino" Redazione 23 maggio - 10:58 Mourinho e la Roma nel cuore: "Mi piacerebbe tanto festeggiare a Circo Massimo" Salvatore Foti, ex vice di José Mourinho ai tempi della Roma e oggi allenatore svincolato dopo l'esperienza alla Sampdoria, ha rilasciato un'intervista al Corriere dello Sport ricordando alcuni momenti in giallorosso. Ecco le sue parole: Cosa ricorda della sua esperienza alla Roma? "Alcuni gesti non li rifarei, ma alla squadra devi trasmettere qualcosa. Si gioca tutti insieme, panchina compresa. Che cosa rifarei? Se parliamo di Roma, tutto: un’esperienza che ti entra dentro completamente, quando mi chiamò Mou per essere il suo vice ero felice come un bambino la mattina di Natale". Tirana, 25 maggio 2022. "Tirana è per sempre. Impossibile scegliere il ricordo più bello, ce ne sono talmente tanti... Uno lo posso rivelare. Sapete quanto è durata la riunione prepartita il giorno della finale? Ve lo dico io: trenta secondi, forse quaranta. Non siamo arrivati al minuto". Le parole di Mourinho? "Eccole: non vi devo dire nulla, dobbiamo solo prendere la coppa e portarla a Roma. Si era creato qualcosa di magico. Al netto dell’inevitabile timore che porta una finale, c’era veramente la convinzione che avremmo vinto. José ne aveva fatte tante di partite così, tutta l’organizzazione passava da lui". Un anno dopo, Budapest. "Ancora adesso non riesco a guardare con serenità una partita di Europa League. Fa davvero male. Quella coppa la meritavamo noi. Tornati a casa non parlai per 20 giorni, avevo gli incubi". Gasperini è invece quello perfetto per la Roma? "Certo che sì. Lo dimostrano i fatti. È uno dei migliori in Italia e io sono contento per tanti dei nostri ragazzi. Sento ancora Pellegrini e Mancini, soprattutto. Lorenzo mi è venuto a trovare quando ero in ritiro a Frosinone, persona speciale». E con la Roma, invece? Cosa successe in quei giorni di gennaio del 2024? "Non lo so, posso dire che l'esonero di Mourinho, e di conseguenza di tutto lo staff, fu per tutti una bella botta. L’anno di Budapest avevamo vissuto una stagione magica, fino ad aprile eravamo sempre in piena lotta Champions, poi si fecero male alcuni giocatori, tra cui Dybala e Smalling, e decidemmo di puntare tutto sull’Europa League". © RIPRODUZIONE RISERVATA Commenta Continua la lettura Commenti Invia Commento Tutti Leggi altri commenti

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