Claudio Ranieri has told Paulo Fonseca to continue to implement his style of play following Roma’s positive start to the season.
Fonseca was chosen as the replacement for interim manager Ranieri over the summer, and he has continued the good work laid down by his predecessor so far, only tasting one defeat.
In the wake of Roma’s most recent win over Lecce, Ranieri was asked for his thoughts on the new-look side by Radio Uno.
“It seems to me that Fonseca is doing a good job, he is making the players understand,” said the former Chelsea and Leicester boss. “He seems very intelligent, he has understood the difficulties of the team; now they start to take less through balls, they cover the depth better.
“I believe that his philosophy is coming out, reading the newspapers I see that the players are very happy. He was a good choice.”
When asked to give a piece of advice to Fonseca, Ranieri replied that he should stick to that philosophy.
“To go ahead on his way, he is working well. It is logical that the Roma fans, when you win, take you to the stars, but I believe that this year they know they are renewing many things. There is a good mix of young and experienced players, I am certain that Roma will have a great season.”
Roma’s form under Ranieri towards the end of last season led some to believe he would have been a suitable candidate for the permanent manager’s role before Fonseca was even linked, but the 67-year-old confirmed that he knew from the start that he would not be considered.
“It was already agreed from the beginning, from when I signed I knew that at the end of the year I would go away.
“For me it was not a bad ending, but it certainly was for Daniele [De Rossi] and Francesco [Totti].”
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