Despite only taking over the job at Roma in the middle of January, reports in Italy suggest that Luciano Spalletti may be ready to resign his position already.
The manager has had a very public falling out with club legend Francesco Totti in recent days, which resulted in Totti being excluded from the match day squad for their game against Palermo on Sunday.
Totti's comments came in a television interview with TG1 in which he said that he is now fully fit, but has not featured in a meaningful way since the arrival of Spalletti to the club and deserves "more respect", adding that the only words he exchanges with the boss are "good morning" and "good evening".
Roma's Francesco Totti, center, arrives on the stands prior to the start of a Serie A soccer match between Roma and Palermo. Image: Alessandra Tarantino / AP/Press Association Images
La Gazzetta dello Sport states that the manager is ready to resign his position if the club do not back him publicly in the wake of the incident, which leaves Roma president James Pallotta in a difficult situation.
Spalletti has signed a two-year contract with the club, but Totti has already signed a six-year deal, which would see him become an ambassador after he hangs up his boots.
Speaking after his side thrashed Palermo 5-0 however, Spalletti stated that he believed the incident to be in the past, and that "[Totti] was at the stadium and in the changing room. He'll train with us tomorrow. It was just a moment of anger and discomfort and that can happen in certain circumstances".
He added that there are rules in place to govern the group and that he had to bring them to bear on Totti as a result of his interview.
