Filippi Biafora of Il Tempo has reported that the rapport between Roma president James Pallotta and sporting director Gianluca Petrachi has broken down and could result in the latter departing from the Italian capital.
Despite an official denial from the club, there was indeed a row between the two following an interview Pallotta gave to Roma’s official website, in which he stated Paulo Fonseca “gets along well with the management team such as (CEO) Guido Fienga and (Director) Manolo Zubiria”.
Petrachi’s name was notably absent from that phrase and this irked him. Furthermore, he has seen his role diminish at the club as CEO Guido Fienga has been carrying out various transfer market negotiations over recent weeks.
The Lecce-born director still has a two-year contract with the club and earns €1.2 million (net) plus bonuses per season, which could prove to be an obstacle for the “divorce” between the parties.
Should Petrachi ultimately depart, the Giallorossi are ready to hand the job to his number two: Morgan De Sanctis. The former Roma goalkeeper and team manager has been the vice sporting director since last summer after having rejoined the club in 2017.