Monchi: We know who we want to lead the team next season

Roma sporting director Monchi says he already knows exactly what he is looking for in the club's next manager, and is making good progress in his search.

On Tuesday the club confirmed a parting of ways with Luciano Spalletti, who guided the Giallorossi to a second-place finish in Serie A during the 2016-17 campaign.

At Spalletti's final press conference the Spaniard said it would now be "a new chapter" for the club, and is excited for what is to come this summer.

Read what Monchi had to say in an interview with the club's official TV channel.

The club has today announced the departure of Luciano Spalletti. How disappointed are you to be going your separate ways?

"As I said, one of the things I was excited about when I joined Roma was the chance to work with Luciano. Sadly that’s not been possible. As I said in his farewell press conference, my perception of Luciano is even better now that it was before I arrived here. I have a better idea because I’ve seen him work.

"I hope our paths cross again in the future. I wish him all the luck in the world because I think he deserves that."

Roma secured second place with victory over Genoa on Sunday. How important is that for the club’s future?

"First of all, I think it’s a reward for a job well done. Roma have broken records in terms of goals scored and points, coming second with their highest-ever points tally. I think there’s satisfaction at a job well done. I think it’s very important for the future. The AS Roma brand needs to be associated with the Champions League.

"As for the project we want to build in the future, it’s fundamental that we have the chance to play in the Champions League. It’s a source of huge satisfaction and happiness and allows us to start laying the foundations for the future."

Does qualifying for the Champions League group stages change the club’s summer transfer plans?

"No. Regardless of our league position, the project was already underway. It does give you a boost in terms of your presence in the market. It’s another string to your bow when it comes to convincing players, but in any case the AS Roma brand is already a strong one. It helps but it’s not the be all and end all. The project we have in mind is ambitious and exciting and it’s already moving forwards, so that doesn’t change too much."

A lot is made of the money that comes with participation in the Champions League, but how big a difference does playing in such a prestigious tournament make for the players already in the squad and for any potential arrivals?

"As you rightly point out, there is an economic aspect involved. That said, I think the real value lies in the brand, the prestige and the quality of image it enables you to project as a club, rather than the purely economic value. Elite players want to play in the best competition in the world and that is the Champions League, so playing in it makes Roma an even more attractive proposition."

Sunday was Totti’s final game as a Roma player. Have you ever come across a career like Francesco Totti’s?

"I haven’t – and I don’t think I will again. I think it’s impossible, a one-off. The love, the bond, the affection, the connection between Totti and the club. I don’t think it’s been seen before and I don’t think it will be again. What we’re talking about is unique and Roma have been lucky to experience it first-hand and play an active role in this fairy tale, in this intense love story between a player, Francesco, and a club, Roma."

The Roma fans will be eager to find out who is going to be the new coach. What can you tell them?

"We’re still working on it, though we’ve come a long way. Our priority was for Luciano to stay, but obviously we were working on alternatives at the same time in case this happened. We are very clear on the candidate we want to lead the team next season and that’s what we’re working on."

What kind of attributes are you looking for in the new coach?

"Fundamentally, we want a coach who has clear ideas, has a hard-work ethic, is able to buy into the club philosophy, conveys the club’s values and is a winner. I think those characteristics sum up the coach we want to take us forward."

Throughout the James Pallotta era, many of the fans have expressed a desire for the president to have more of an active presence around the club. What do you say to that?

"All I can say is that if Pallotta were more present than he already is, it would be like having two Monchis around. He’s constantly in contact with me, always communicating. We speak several times a day to discuss things. As a president he is involved, he’s busy and he’s excited about the club."

Some of the fans are worried that Roma will have to start again from nothing in terms of the technical strategy under the new coach. Do you agree with that?

"My message to the Roma fans is to have confidence in the project, to have confidence that the road ahead is going to be an exciting one. As I said at my unveiling, I didn’t leave Sevilla for nothing. I’m here because I want to win. I want to achieve big things at a club that in my opinion deserves it. That’s the message to the fans.

"We want to achieve what the Roma fans dream of. That would be the greatest reward for our work."