Totti disagrees with Cassano over Mourinho and makes Ancelotti prediction | OneFootball

Roma legend Francesco Totti predicts Carlo Ancelotti won’t replace Claudio Ranieri next season, but disagrees with Antonio Cassano over José Mourinho: ‘You’re the typical fan…’

The former Italy international was a special guest on the Viva El Futbol podcast, hosted by ex-Serie A players Cassano, Lele Adani and Nicola Ventola.

Totti confirmed he was offered a chance to come back from retirement and play in Serie A again and replied to questions about the next Roma coach.

Claudio Ranieri is expected to step down at the end of his contract in June and contribute to identifying his successor.

Several coaches, including Ancelotti, Cesc Fabregas, and Gian Piero Gasperini, have been linked with the job at the Stadio Olimpico.

“Right now, Ranieri is doing well. I don’t know if they will give him another chance next year,” Totti said via Calciomercato.com and ANSA.

Totti disagrees with Cassano over Mourinho and makes Ancelotti prediction

GENOA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 28: Jose Mourinho, head coach of Roma, looks on prior to kick-off in the Serie A TIM match between Genoa CFC and AS Roma at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on September 28, 2023 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)

“Rome is a peculiar place: they stick to the same idea when things go well. If he decides to stay, they will bet on him. Let’s see how the last few games go and where he ends up. Ancelotti would be needed, but he won’t come anyway.

“Today, a coach must first and foremost be good at managing top players,” continued Totti.

“Gasperini is a good coach, but he doesn’t drive me crazy. He plays one-on-one across the whole field.

“Cassano couldn’t play under him,” he added smiling, “but he [Gasperini] is having a great season with Atalanta, and they’re fun to watch.”

Totti continued: “I really like De Zerbi, and I hope he can become a great coach one day. And he definitely will. What could he do in Rome? That’s a question mark. At first, knowing the environment in Rome, they would struggle to accept him, also because by now, they’ve gotten used to average coaches there.”

Totti’s ex-Roma teammate Cassano is undoubtedly not a fan of ex-Giallorossi boss Mourinho, but Totti doesn’t share the same view.

“For me, Mourinho is one of the best coaches in the world, based on his victories. You’re the typical fan who wants to play well rather than just win. Which is better?”

Cassano replied: “I prefer to play well and win. Mourinho plays like crap and wins.”

Totti hit back: “Mourinho, Allegri, Capello, Ancelotti. Do they play beautifully? Normally. The players play, the coaches just set them up. There’s no Guardiola or Klopp-style system. In the end, what matters is the result. Maybe you don’t play well, but you win.”

Roma sacked Mourinho in January 2024 after two and a half years in the Capital, during which he reached a Europa League Final and won a Conference League.

“That ‘little cup’ [as Cassano called it] still has to be won,” Totti concluded.

“In two years at Roma, he reached the Conference League Final and won it. He reached the Europa League Final and lost it on penalties. What can you say against him? Everyone has their own opinion, but I’m the complete opposite of you [Cassano]. Wherever he has gone, he has won. I like a coach who brings trophies home. Like Capello at Roma. When we found out Capello was coming, we all went crazy.”