The American. The first press conference of the new AS Roma was held today in Trigoria. The interim Chairman of the Board of Directors Roberto Cappelli, the future Chairman, was present Thomas R. DiBenedetto, the new CEO of AS Roma Claudio Fenucci, the coach Luis Enrique and the communication manager Tullio Camiglieri. He wasn't on stage, Walter Sabatini, whose absence was justified by the impossibility of smoking inside the hall, however his silhouette often appeared behind the glass doors, enveloped in the cloud of smoke from his ever-present cigarettes.
The first to speak was Cappelli who, after having once again thanked the Sensi family and the management who have worked for Roma in recent years, outlined the new corporate profile of the club, made up of "elements of the highest quality, chosen for a project serious and competitive”. He then clarified that the closing will be completed shortly, but that since negotiations are still underway, it is not possible to speak today of Roma's economic and financial condition, given that the company is listed on the stock exchange.
The word then passed to the American tycoon, Thomas DiBenedetto, the most awaited guest of this hot morning. The Boston manager first of all thanked Sensi, then Cappelli and Unicredit for their contribution and for the appointments of Sabatini, Baldini (the FA press release arrived today which will release the manager in the autumn) and Fenucci, to whom he renewed his great confidence. The Boston Red Sox partner called his project "a new era." “We are a management with ambitions and dreams, common to all the fans. It will take time to achieve them, but working together I am convinced that we have the skills to do it.
Subsequently, Fenucci, former administrator of US Lecce, took the floor and immediately expressed his enthusiasm, "I wasn't used to these crowds in Lecce, you are very numerous and this is already a sign of the greatness of this club". The new CEO of Roma will make his wealth of experience available to the Capitoline club.
The conference continued with questions from journalists who gave those present the opportunity to address various issues related to the new Giallorossi team.
DiBenedetto first of all clarified what the company's short- and long-term goals are. The first target to be aimed at is the formation of the best possible team of managers, "this is where you have to start, in football it is fundamental". By the end of this season (2011/2012) it will be fully booked. “But we also and above all want to work with young people, who we must be able to wait for”. The project he has in mind for Roma is long-term, DiBenedetto knows it well, who has ruled: "Rome was not built in a day".
It will restart from Totti and hopefully by The Rossi. The American spent fine words on both of them, saying of the Giallorossi captain "He's the best in Rome and in Italy, probably the greatest player of the last century". There are fewer certainties about De Rossi: "We admire his abilities, we would like, indeed we want him to stay here and we will do everything to make this happen".
There are numerous moves that the Boston manager has in mind, to increase attendance at the stadium, taking advantage of everything that can surround the match. Marketing, globally and media development will be key for which you are already partnering with a company that develops social media.
There were obviously numerous questions about the new stadium. Soon a meeting with Coni to address the most imminent issues but there is no news regarding the owned stadium. Camiglieri intervened on the matter: "we are still awaiting the law on stadiums, it is incomprehensible that everything is still, the law is shared by all the political parties".
Someone even spoke of a revolution in Italian football. But DiBenedetto immediately clarified that his goal is not to change Italian football but "to bring As Roma to the top". “I came to Italy because my roots are here, my father was Italian. I will take a house in Rome and I will move here, I know how important my physical presence is for the results and for the fans" he added, "I really appreciate the attention there is from the fans, there are few places like Rome from this point of view, and one of them is Boston thanks to the Red Sox”.
There was no shortage of uncomfortable questions. The American tycoon was asked what he thinks of the mix between football and politics in Italy and in particular of Berlusconi, president of the Italian champion club and Prime Minister. This is DiBenedetto's answer: "The Italian Prime Minister is very successful both in football and in politics, he has his means to succeed".
Cappelli was instead asked if in this two-headed Rome, once the closing was complete, the men of Unicredit, a minority shareholder, would still have an active role. The lawyer, interim president of Roma, promptly replied that “this Roma is not two-headed, there is a need for a single voice. This is a good partnership that can continue but Tom (DiBenedetto – ed) has the reins”.
There was a break in the middle of the match which allowed the presentation of the new shirts. And here there was a surprise, unlike a press conference devoid of particular emotions, wearing the jerseys were not the stars or the new signings, but the players of the spring champions of Italy, accompanied by coach Alberto De Reds. Pigliacelli wore the goalkeeper's shirt, Antei the red one, Viviani the white one and the class of '94 Verre the black one. The new Roma Primavera shirt with the Scudetto on the chest was worn by Caprari, a little gem who made his first team debut this year.
After the presentation of the shirts under the notes of “Grazie Roma”, today's other special guest made his entrance: the new AS Roma coach Luis Enrique.
The Asturian, former Barcelona and Real Madrid footballer and now former Barcelona B coach, had the opportunity to reiterate his ideas and prospects for his new position.
His will be an offensive Rome, "Attacking is my only model of play, now we will see how to adapt my ideas to the team". The idea of football that he has in mind is not the same but similar to that of Barcelona. Roma chose him because he wants to bet on young people and he knows this well, "I feel like the custodian of Roma's bet to bet on young people". Regarding sensitive issues such as Vucinic and the new goalkeeper, Luis Enrique avoided answering, delegating them to Sabatini who supports the coach, "He knows these situations better than me, he's the one who takes care of it".
As for new additions, the Spaniard first of all wants to see the whole team and then he will decide, even if he is aware that the squad needs to be perfected.
But it is known that in Rome there is a great desire to win, the fans have been hungry for a long time and therefore there are those who want to know what the ambitions are for this year.
This is the answer from Luis Enrique, who appears determined to do well: “I want to guarantee to the fans that we will never have a defensive or speculative attitude, we will always attack to win. The fans will have to trust them but we will always entertain them.” Thus ended a conference without special effects, more necessary to calm the souls of the capital, who wanted to see in person the names that have been around their team for too long.
