Ex-Roma assistant Salvatore Foti recounts his time in the capital with Jose Mourinho | OneFootball

After serving as José Mourinho’s top assistant since 2022—first at Roma and now at Fenerbahçe—Salvatore Foti reflected on his relationship with the Special One, his experience at Roma, and his own ambitions moving forward.

Foti, 36, has served as an assistant coach for over a decade, however he admitted he’s ready to step out on his own and become a head coach.

“I remember when I joined Roma, José called me on Christmas Day in 2021,” Foti told Corriere dello Sport.

“For me, it was like Santa Claus. He asked, ‘Do you want to join me?’ I said yes, but told him, ‘I can’t get caught up in who you are, or I won’t do my job properly.’ He appreciated that. And I’ve always told him when I disagreed.”

He continued, “People say I’m a good luck charm — Roma hardly ever lost when José was suspended. At one point, someone even wrote that I was becoming as famous as him.”

“But Mourinho is a global icon. If you walk with him through Villa Borghese or Piazza di Spagna, you truly understand what celebrity means.”

Asked about his coaching ambitions, Foti admitted he feels prepared to set out on his own.

“Ten years as an assistant is a lot. It’s been an incredible apprenticeship,” he stated.

“I’ve helped prepare nearly 400 matches with two incredible coaches. But now, I want to walk on my own and I’ve already spoken to Mourinho about it. It’s time.”

The 36 year-old also discussed some of his memories in the Italian capital and weighed in on Paulo Dybala’s fit under new manager Gian Piero Gasperini.

“I’m still haunted by the images from the final in Budapest,” admitted Foti.

“I didn’t leave the house for almost 20 days and I’d wake up from nightmares. What made it tough was we had start the new season under the burden of Financial Fair Play.”

He continued. “Even with 14 players and 6-7 matches in quick succession, we were still performing—but then we were sacked. In December, we were fourth.”

“I’ve never seen anything like it. I don’t know the details of Mourinho’s relationship with the ownership, but I know he had become a lightning rod.”

Finally, “Dybala? Some say Paulo isn’t a fit for Gasperini’s playing style. But the only concern any coach should have is Dybala’s fitness. If we judge a champion’s value based on a tactical or playing system, we’re missing the point.”