Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella has revealed in an interview today that he still does not know why he did not receive the Roma managerial reins.
The former Giallorossi striker took over temporarily as boss in the capital last year but Luis Enrique was eventually chosen instead to lead the club last season.
He said: “The deal seemed done [to keep me at Roma], I do not know what happened. Maybe I was a little inexperienced I still have great love for Roma but do hope to finish ahead of them in the league.
“Now I am concentrating on Fiorentina, they have made me feel welcome since the beginning. We are doing well and to play our football and force the game to the opposition is always our goal.”
L’Aeroplanino holds no hard feelings towards the capital club clearly and was only too happy to talk about playing in the Eternal City’s famous derby ahead of this weekend’s upcoming clash.
“The day we won the league was one of the greatest moments of my career. The Olympic was full beyond capacity and we celebrated for weeks! With [Fabio] Capello I had a good relationship and he taught me a lot but perhaps I deserved to play a little more.
“I do not know why in the derby against Lazio I scored so often,” he laughed. “Perhaps because I was always preparing and thinking of scoring a goal. Since the first day I imagined all the situations that could take me to the goal.”
The coach who was born near Naples was coy on whether he would one day like to take over at the San Paolo, or the Marassi as he played for both Sampdoria and Genoa.
“I do not know if I will one day coach in Naples, for now I go only to visit my family. I was young when I went to Genoa and then joined Sampdoria and if I am honest, I am most fond of Sampdoria.”
He also discussed the Scudetto race and believes that following their Derby d’Italia defeat, Juventus may now struggle against a revitalised Inter.
“I think Inter have something extra in front of Juventus and there is still room for improvement. They also have players to come back from injury and have one of the world’s best strikers in [Diego] Milito.”
