Fienga discusses Tiscali agreement and club's plans for growth

Roma CEO Guido Fienga took part in a special press conference on Tuesday afternoon, to mark the club's new agreement with Tiscali.

The communications company have come on board as the club's Official Connectivity Provider, a new partnership that Fienga believes will have a positive effect on both parties.

“It is very important to have a premium partner like Tiscali," Fienga said.

"Roma is a football club where technological innovation is one of the ways it can continue to grow and build the business. In that, Tiscali has always been an example.

"They invented the internet for all; they took a technology and transformed it into something accessible and available for everyone. Tiscali aren’t just a partner, they are an inspiration of sorts.”

Fienga then answered a selection of questions from reporters - here's what he had to say...

Given we are talking about connections today, how is the connection with the new owners?

“The connection, the relationship with the Friedkins, is going well. The takeover took place between the end of one season and a transfer market that has been squeezed into one month. There’s a lot of work to do, and we are doing it diligently.

"It’s a period where there are a lot of different deadlines, among those the capital investment. We are working hard, diligently, collaboratively and quickly. Everything is aiming towards being better.”

Is this new partnership a result, in some part, of the change in ownership at the club?

“This new commercial agreement is part of the club’s continued growth. The more we continue to grow, the more we can attract high level partners. We are very pleased to have Tiscali as a partner. And we will surely achieve important things working together.”

How has the approach to the transfer market changed with the change of ownership?

“Even last season we made a decision to stabilise the squad, to keep those players whose performances were most central to our project. With the Friedkins, that decision has only been reinforced. We want to build a solid project for the long-term.”

Will the club’s future commercial strategy also involve other businesses that form part of the Friedkin Group?

“The club’s commercial strategy will be the same as the growth of the club. We will to try to take advantage of every possible synergy with the Friedkin Group and its partners.”

Is there any update on the club’s next technical sponsor?

“We are working on the club’s next technical partner, analysing all the possible options. In regards to the previous agreement with Nike, Roma is now a bigger, more visible brand with an international reach. We are confident that, whatever decision we end up taking, it will be more valuable than the deal that preceded it.”

How long do the new ownership think it will take to build the Roma they want?

“We are working calmly and sensibly to build a stable project, one that improves every year. That is the ambition we are working towards.

"If we do a bit better than the year before every year, then the results will come. But that requires calm and a stable strategy. We are not trying to change everything, but we are looking to correct some things. And every year to invest in something more that moves us in the right direction. Doing that, then the results will come.”

Roma are among the club’s most willing to welcome private investment into Serie A, although there have been some debates about this. What is the latest?

“From Roma’s perspective there is always the expectation that we will try to maximise the value of the rights. The club has always been at the frontline in trying to improve and enhance the Serie A product around the world – and to make the product in Italy more efficient and stable.

"We are in a moment right now why the business models and the ways of distributing content are changing. With the Covid pandemic, perhaps television audiences will grow. It’s a period where the market has to be re-evaluated.

"The club welcomes any sort of fresh stimulus and partner that will help us in analysing how to approach the next few years and ensure the continued improvement of the product and the resources it has to distribute.”

Do you have a message for the fans, ahead of the start of the season?

“The message for the fans on the eve of the season is we will try to win as many games as possible. That they should try to enjoy their passion for Roma in the safest way possible, while staying as close to the club as they can. And to finish the season with a few extra smiles on our faces.”