Il Tempo (Austini) – The truth is that Roma wasn’t ready to bring him in, however, never before was he so close. The dream of Antonio Conte on the bench of Roma ended before it even started following his interview with Gazzetta. In reality, talks for Conte faded last week after he made a call to Giallorossi CEO Guido Fienda, in which he revealed he didn’t feel ready to undertake a difficult, especially for his football, but fascinating project. Conte wants to win now and Roma didn’t ask him to do so immediately as they entrusted him with a three year project, but the two plans and expectations didn’t coincide. Conte wants to relaunch with either “his” Juve or Inter unless the unlikely option of a move abroad opens. The “no” of Conte didn’t surprise anyone in Trigoria and in Boston they have been working on different options for weeks. The “Plan B” has always represented Maurizio Sarri, who has been in touch with Franco Baldini at various points, but he too represents the same degree of difficulty in bringing to Trigoria as Conte, especially after he has brought Chelsea back into the Champions League and a potential Europa League final. But a divorce with the Blues remains possible. Even in the case that he is sacked, Sarri would have no intention of giving up his huge wages that are guaranteed in the second year of his contract with Chelsea. The name of Giampaolo doesn’t seem to convince while Gasperini, the maestro of the miracle in Bergamo, will only let his intentions be known at the end of the season, but Atalanta has already informed him and any admirers that they have no intentions of allowing him to leave as he has a contract until 2021. Another potential name within Italy is Milan’s Gattuso while Laurent Blanc is also an option. But everything will depend on what names become available before the end of the season until June and what other opportunities may be available – for example, Allegri and Tuchel could become objectives if they do not remain. In the meantime, the sporting director situation must also be resolved. Petrachi is ready to join Roma even without Conte arriving but he first must free himself from Cairo and Torino as Roma does not want to intrude.
