Francesco Totti has admitted he would have enjoyed playing under Gian Piero Gasperini at Roma, joking that after Zdenek Zeman’s training methods he could cope with anything.
With quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb, the former Roma captain spoke to Sky Sport at the launch of his new book, Oltre, which covers his life since retiring in 2017. “This is my life from when I stopped playing to turning 50,” he said. “It’s another mini-career, with some more complicated moments, but they’re part of everyday life.”
Totti, who turned 50 last month, admitted that walking away from the game was hard. “Unfortunately there’s a beginning and an end. 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.”
Totti on Gasperini, Zeman and the Scudetto race
Gasperini is famous for his demanding sessions, but Totti had already experienced gruelling training under Zeman, who coached him in two spells.
“Fantasising is nice. You sit on the sofa and think things over, and everything seems simpler,” he said. “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.”
Asked whether he would rather give a copy of the book to Gasperini or Roma vice-president Ryan Friedkin, he replied: “Both of them. I’ll leave one in Italian, but the other I’ll have to do 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 Lazio could be up there ahead of everyone with Inter, but Roma are right behind,” Totti said. “The city deserves this stage, and I hope Roma go the furthest.”