Former Roma manager Luciano Spalletti reflected on the painful decision amid criticism from the fanbase to depart the club in 2017.
Currently at the helm of the Italian national team, Spalletti discussed his separation from Roma in an interview with Corriere della Sera.
“I remember the fans whistling at me on the day that Totti retired. Those whistles and boos hurt me,” said Spalletti. “It was a painful moment.”
“I have always tried to do the right thing for Roma, we played really well as a team and always achieved good results. And I also tried to do the right thing for Totti, who was one of the greatest players of our time. For me, embracing him again after all these years was like a liberation.”
