Luciano Moggi: Roma need another Calciopoli more than another coach

Moggi: Roma need another Calciopoli more than another coach

Feb 3, 2013 1:30:00 AM

The former Juventus director dismissed Zdenek Zeman's sacking as predictable, criticising the Roma coach's work as well as Juventus' signing of Nicolas Anelka

Luciano Moggi has cast a critical eye on Roma's decision to appoint coach Zdenek Zeman at the beginning of this season, after the Czech received his marching orders on Saturday, following a 4-2 home defeat to Cagliari.

The pair endured tempestuous run-ins with each other over the 1990's when Zeman first took charge of the Giallorossi, and Moggi questioned general manager Franco Baldini's decision to re-hire him in the first place.

"I cannot deny expecting and widely predicting Zeman's fate," the ex-Juventus director revealed to TuttoJuve. "Unfortunately, it happened that way.

"Baldini's two years in management have been completely negative, from the statistics and results. The results were disappointing, but not surprising.

"He needs another Calciopoli more than another coach to have an opportunity to usurp the table."

The infamous betting scandal of 2006 stripped Moggi of his position as a Juventus official and plunged the Turin giants into Serie B, although the Old Lady have managed to redeem themselves lately by winning the Scudetto last season.

But poor form at the turn of the year has led to the repeat title charge of Antonio Conte's men to falter slightly.

"The championship has been reopened, as it's now clear Napoli are true contenders. Their Europa League journey is of little account, and I doubt they will pay much attention to it.

"But Juventus' Champions League commitments will take away energy. Chiellini is a player that cannot be replaced. His absence is sorely felt.

"Sebastian Giovinco has proven a good purchase for them, though they would have been better off staying as they were without Nicolas Anelka, as he is no better than any of their current strikers."

The 33-year-old former Chelsea forward arrives from Shanghai Shenhua on a five-month contract, with the clause to extend his stay by one year.