New Roma coach Vincenzo Montella has no intention of just being a stopgap solution in his first ever coaching position.
The former Roma and Italy striker took over from Claudio Ranieri after the ex-Chelsea and Valencia coach resigned following four consecutive losses. Montella has a contract until the end of the season, but said he intends to prove that he's worthy of a long-term deal.
''I don't feel like a caretaker,'' Montella said at his presentation Tuesday. ''I know what I'm taking on, but I accepted with enthusiasm and confidence.''
Montella's first match as Roma coach will be away to Bologna on Wednesday. Roma's last victory in the league was a 3-0 win against Cagliari on Jan.22.
Ranieri resigned after Roma threw away a three-goal lead to lose 4-3 to Genoa. The run also included losses to Inter Milan and Napoli in the league and Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.
''There is a psychological hurdle that we need to overcome,'' Montella said. ''As such I am happy that we are playing soon and away from home.
''We have to look at tomorrow's game and give our all. The players are going through a bad period and I will need to talk to them, but I do believe in them.''
Montella was part of the Roma team that last won the Serie A title in 2001. In total he scored 83 times in 204 matches and lined up alongside current Roma players Francesco Totti, Simone Perrotta and Daniele De Rossi.
''I am lucky to have a squad filled with quality players of the highest level,'' Montella said. ''I believe I have an embarrassment of riches, but I can't please everyone and it will be me who decides (who plays).''
