6) Luciano Spaletti – Francesco Totti
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In Luciano Spalletti’s first spell at AS Roma, the Italian manager had a brainwave that reignited Francesco Totti’s career and propelled a floundering Roma to two Coppa Italia’s and a Supercoppa. The brainwave? Moving Totti, an attacking midfielder/support striker by trade, to a lone striker formation, although it was more of a ‘false 9’ role.
Totti flourished, having one of his best goalscoring spells of his career. However, Il Bimbo d’Oro has struggled to deal with Spalletti’s latest brainwave – leaving the Roma captain out of the starting lineup and only giving him a few minutes at the end of games, usually with Roma chasing the game.
It led to an explosive interview on Italy's national television network, with Totti threatening to leave the club, saying “I can’t stay at Roma like this. It hurts to be on the bench.What is my rapport like with Spalletti? We say ‘good morning’ and ‘good evening.’ That’s it.”
The polite relationship worsened further after Totti grabbed a late equaliser against Bologna, with reports of a dressing room altercation between the pair circulating the Italian press, although Spalletti denied any such incident later.
Days later, Totti inspired Roma to an incredible victory against Torino, coming back from 2-1 down in the 85th minute when he came on, with the Roma legend scoring twice with two touches in a 3 minute spell, to leave the Curva Sud in tears of joy as Roma won 3-2.
Perhaps Spalletti will soften his stance after Totti’s heroics, and the duo can revisit the succees that they enjoyed together in Spalletti’s first spell at the club.
