Former Italy international Marco Tardelli has criticised Roma coach Luciano Spalletti for his handling of the public dispute with club captain Francesco Totti.
Totti was omitted from the Giallorossi’s matchday squad for their 5-0 demolition of Palermo, following a war of words between the two parties through the media.
“Spalletti has not managed the situation well,” Tardelli said at an Italian Hall of Fame event. “Maybe Totti should have left in January.
“He [Totti] should be given an ambassadorial role at the club. Like Bobby Charlton at Manchester United, for example.”
Ahead of the meeting with Palermo, it had been reported that Totti was sent home from training by Spalletti after the 39-year-old demanded more respect from the newly-appointed Giallorossi boss.
The Roma No.10 has featured just five times in Serie A this season, with three of these appearances coming as a substitute.
