Jose Mourinho could 'bring back Francesco Totti' to appease Roma unrest

Roma legend Francesco Totti could end up back at the club amid a difficult period for the Italian club and manager Jose Mourinho may have a part to play in the former club captain's return.

Mourinho is in the midst of a difficult spell with the Italian club, with European qualification hanging in the balance and former Italy and Roma striker Antonio Cassano among those to criticise his work at the Stadio Olimpico.

Totti played with Cassano for part of his long career in Rome, making his debut as a teenager and remaining with the club until he hung up his boots in 2017 at the age of 40.

The former Italy international resigned from his directorial role with the club in 2019 after a falling-out with the previous owners, but reports in Italy suggest he could be on the verge of a comeback.

While Totti has continued to attend games, he left his executive position in 2019 with a strong statement in which he claimed to have been stabbed in the back.

"This is far worse than retiring as a player. Leaving Roma is like dying. I feel like it'd be better if I died," he said at the time.

"This is a club to be loved and supported. There shouldn't be pro-Totti, pro-[then-owner James] Pallotta or pro-[then-consultant Franco] Baldini factions. Just Roma fans.

“Did someone stab me in the back at Trigoria? Yes.

"I will never name names, but there are people in there who don’t want me there. These people are hurting Roma, not doing what is best for the club."

According to La Gazzetta Dello Sport, though, the change in ownership at Roma - with the Friedkin Group now in charge - has opened the door to Totti returning, as has the ex-player's rapport with Mourinho.

"There is strong mutual respect’" between Totti and Mourinho, the Italian