Everton’s owners, The Friedkin Group, have ended up as the ‘talk of the town’ as they consider bringing Francesco Totti back in at AS Roma.
Tuttomercatoweb cover the situation today. The website relays comments from Claudio Ranieri and former Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini on the matter.
Reports in Italy have suggested that Totti could return to his former club in a director role in the near future. The Friedkins are reportedly keen to get him on board to coincide with the club’s centenary in 2027. They would also like to have him on board for a potential move into a new stadium.
It would be an interesting move from the American group. Totti was previously in a director role at the Italian club from 2017 to 2019 but left citing a lack of involvement in technical decisions. That was a year before the American group bought Roma in August 2020.
The 49-year-old remains the definitive Roma icon after his lifelong association with the club. He made 785 appearances for them in total, with 305 goals, 205 assists and five major trophies.
His return could be strategically smart from the Everton owners. They’ve already been down the nostalgia route before with Claudio Ranieri, a decision which very much paid off for them.
Everton owners may be big football romantics
Francesco Totti
28.05.2017. Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy. Last match of Francesco Totti.
The rumours are certainly making waves for now, with Ranieri and Sabatini both backing the idea completely.
“If the Friedkins are considering Totti’s return? They are, I hope Francesco can be truly useful to Roma. Francesco is part of Roma,” said the former. He was asked about the situation and the Everton owners being ‘the talk of the town’ by reporters.
“From my point of view, it would be a wonderful and appropriate choice,” added Sabatini.
“Why? Because of the champion he was and what he represented. I believe there will always be room for him at Roma. The important thing is that he returns with a defined role, with a technical approach and not just as a representative.”
The Freidkins have shown they may well have a soft spot for legends at Roma, maybe they can try similar at Everton.