Football
ESPN staff 7y

Don't blame me for Francesco Totti retirement - Luciano Spalletti

Inter Milan coach boss Luciano Spalletti said Roma fans who booed him when the two sides met at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday were wrong to blame him for the retirement of Francesco Totti.

Totti, 40, ended his distinguished Roma playing career at the close of last season and is now a director of the club.

Spalletti relegated Totti to the bench when in charge of Roma last season, but after masterminding a 3-1 Inter win at his former side said fans were wrong to assume he had sparked the striker's decision to quit.

Roma supporters jeered him and sang songs in praise of Totti, but Spalletti told Mediaset Premium: "They jeered me because they think I am the reason Totti retired.

"But I am not there [at Roma] now and he could have continued.

"Our paths have not crossed. If they had done, I would have offered all my friendship.

"The Totti fans jeered me, but I also received many positive messages from the Roma fans."

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