Cassetti hits out at Luis Enrique

Marco Cassetti has lambasted Luis Enrique’s stint with Roma, claiming the former Barcelona youth coach was unprepared for life in Serie A.

The Spaniard left Roma at the end of last season having led the team to a seventh-placed finish, and was criticised by fans and media alike for poor performances and a strained relationship with his squad.

“You do not hand the reins of Roma to a Barcelona ‘B’ coach,” Watford defender Cassetti told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“He was arrogant, and completely underestimated Italian football. (New coach Zdenek) Zeman, however, promises both attacking football and quality.”

The 35-year-old, who made over 140 appearances for Roma between 2006 to 2012, left the capital club when his contract expired, and signed for Watford on loan from Udinese in August.

“Both Roma and I have regrets from our time together; there was the silence on the part of the directors (regarding a contract renewal), but I will never forget my goal in the derby, the trophies under (Luciano) Spalletti, and my relationship with team-mates,” he said.

“They gave me a wonderful farewell – one day, I was taken to a room and shown my best moments at Roma, something that moved me greatly.”

The veteran full-back joined Roma from Lecce in 2006.