Roma president James Pallotta has promised fans the Serie A club still has a bright future despite an alarming downturn in form.
Zdenek Zeman paid the price for a run of five games without a win with his job last week but interim head coach Aurelio Andreazzoli could not reverse the slide as the Giallorossi lost 3-1 at Sampdoria on Sunday.
Reports in Italy suggest striker Pablo Osvaldo, who missed a penalty against Sampdoria, was yesterday confronted by angry fans when leaving Roma’s training complex in Trigoria.
Roma now occupy ninth place and are 10 points shy of an expected Champions League berth, but Pallotta reaffirmed his commitment to the Stadio Olimpico outfit while stressing his Italo-American consortium have a long-term vision for the club.
Pallotta, whose Boston-based group became majority shareholders of Roma in April 2011, told the club’s official website: “While we are all not happy with our recent results I have complete confidence in our players and entire staff.
“As I have said on every occasion we are building an organisation and team that will take some time and that Rome can be proud of.
“In times of transition, there will always be instances in which, in hindsight, we may have taken some different decisions but I don’t intend to put band aids on in order to satisfy some in the short term.”
General manager Franco Baldini and director of football Walter Sabatini have come under fire for letting results slide while concentrating on rebuilding the club in the style of Primera Division leaders Barcelona.
Luis Enrique was lured from Barcelona’s reserve team to become head coach at Roma in 2011 but failed to secure European football for the current season, with veteran Czech tactician Zeman unable to improve the club’s fortunes with his uncompromising brand of attacking football.
Pallotta added: “I am sorry that we all would like to see quick results but since becoming president seven months ago I feel we have moved in many respects in the right direction for the longer term viability and greatness that I believe we can achieve for Roma.
“Attacking Baldini and Sabatini on a daily basis doesn’t accomplish anything and is foolish. If you want to, attack me.”
Roma next face Serie A leaders Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday night.