Monchi reiterates faith in Di Francesco

Roma sporting director Monchi spoke to Sky Sport Italia on Tuesday, to state that he and the club have "100% belief" in coach Eusebio Di Francesco.

The Giallorossi went on 'ritiro' (mid-season training camp at Trigoria) following Saturday's 2-2 draw with Cagliari, which saw the side concede an equaliser in the final minute.

Speaking from the Czech Republic ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash against Viktoria Plzen, Monchi made it clear that the club's hierarchy retain complete confidence in the coach.

“Unfortunately I have talked about this too many times: the position of the club has not changed and our confidence [in the coach] is the same," Monchi said.

"When I have belief in a professional I do not easily change my mind. I am a bit confused when I read things about the directors: that there is a war between us, that I want to walk away, that I’m getting angry. Here we have 100% belief in the coach.

"It is the same coach who finished third last season and took us to the Champions League semi-finals – nothing has changed. Sometimes the responsibility falls on all of us, not just one person: we can’t put everything on the coach.”

Can you help us to understand why, almost every day, we seem to read that you will leave if Di Francesco is dismissed?

“This is a ridiculous notion, I have never thought like that. I want to be here for a long time. As long as I have the backing of the club I will be delighted to stay here for a long time, working hard for this club that has given me the chance to become a sporting director in Italy.”

The decision to hold a ‘ritiro’ has been widely debated; what advantages does it have in modern football?

“I think that fundamentally there are two aims: to help the squad really understand the things that are going wrong, and those that have to change.

"But especially to help us come together as a group: sometimes the players can find the solutions among themselves by discussing things and working closer together.”