From the Press Box: Kay Murray

The latest in our weekly series with members of the media, ESPN presenter and CalcioCast host Kay Murray tells us about her career in football, her thoughts on Roma's current situation - and gives her opinion on some topical stories making the headlines this week.

Where are you spending the lockdown Kay?

"I am at home in Connecticut. My husband [fellow ESPN presenter Matteo Bonetti] and I moved here from Miami last July. Back then I was in the early stages of pregnancy and we now have a two-month-old baby boy to keep us busy in these strangest of times.

"It is pretty tough that his grandparents can’t see him, but we also know that we are so lucky to spend all day, every day with him. It is weird there is no football to keep us entertained and sane, but there are still plenty of storylines going on to keep me busy."

You mentioned your newborn son. Henrikh Mkhitaryan and his wife Betty also welcomed a baby boy around the same time. What is it like being a first-time parent – especially in a lockdown?

"Becoming a parent was my biggest dream. I am fortunate that my son, Luca, arrived just before the lockdown came into full effect. The days just seem to be filled with looking after him and it’s crazy how this little person has become a bigger handful than a Francesco Totti and Antonio Cassano pairing upfront!

"The pros of being on lockdown with the little guy by far outweigh the cons. Once things go back to normal and work resumes from the office, I think I’ll look back and realise just how lucky all this quality time with my son was."

You not only have your new son, but a new job as a presenter with ESPN. Has it been tough to find stories during this period, let alone having to broadcast from home?

"Finding stories hasn’t been too difficult because Covid-19 is creating them, plus I can guarantee that most of the contacts I need to call right now aren't busy. Broadcasting from home is a luxury that I don’t take for granted. I am not someone who wears pyjamas and slippers just because you can’t see my lower half! I have to feel fully dressed, heels and all, to feel professional in such a relaxed setting."

How did you get into TV presenting - what was your first big break?

"My first big break came at Boro TV – the official club channel of Middlesbrough FC. I was working for my hometown club and was the face of their new kit launch. I used the opportunity to do some work experience at the channel. I bombarded them with ideas and this then turned into a role on the network hosting a weekly show.

"Over time, I realised that I wanted to do more matchday reporting and this prompted me to go and study journalism in London."

So you are a Boro fan?

"Of course! I am heavily involved with the club now. I am an ambassador for their charity arm, the MFC Foundation. But I did also grow up, like most kids of my generation, a big Italian football fan, thanks to Football Italia. ‘Gooooooooolazzzzoooo!’ I first fell in love with Roma via that show."

What is your proudest moment in journalism?

"In terms of actual journalism, it was interviewing Sir Bobby Robson in 2005. As far as career highlights go, it’s hard to top hosting the Ballon d’Or for the first time in 2012. The rehearsals and lead up to the event, along with the after-show dinner, are like a who’s who of all your footballing heroes in the same room."

What is the key to interviewing a footballer, especially in the heat of post-match?

“I think some journalists can get quite aggressive in their attempts to speak to players after games and it rarely pays off. Just staying calm and sometimes telling them upfront how much time you need from them lets them see that you’re just doing your job and sets you up well for a better interview.

"If they really don’t want to speak, they’ll usually remember that you were polite and stop for you the next time. That being said, you have to know how to hold your own if a player does become prickly or throws something back at you. Fortunately, it didn’t happen too often for me, but I have had the likes of an agitated Jose Mourinho to deal with in press conferences towards the end of his Real Madrid tenure. I have interviewed him since and he was great, though.

"I also interviewed Cafu after his Roma days and have encountered him on more than one occasion including during the Ballon d’or ceremonies that I have hosted and in Rio at the 2014 World Cup. He is always so lovely and generous with his time.

"And if I was covering Roma on the ground right now, I know it would be great to have a player like Chris Smalling for post-match chats."

Along with presenting for ESPN, you also co-host an Italian football podcast called CalcioCast. Have you noticed added interest during the lockdown?

“I suppose podcasting is one of the few beneficiaries of the pandemic. CalcioCast is a twice-weekly Serie A podcast that I host alongside Matteo Bonetti. Every Monday, we look back on the weekend that was and discuss the biggest topics arising from those games and the storylines going on within the league. This edition is available to all.

“Then midweek, we offer bonus editions of the podcast where we also answer questions from our subscribers. We’ve built up quite a community of Italian football fans and, of course, Roma is well represented. We invite any football fan to listen – whether they’re a seasoned follower or a newbie to the league – all are welcome. We have a lot of fun and there are debates and rants, too!"

Have you been to any Roma games at the Stadio Olimpico?

"I have been to see both Roma and - I’ll whisper this one - Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico. I saw Roma beat Real Madrid 2-1 in the 2007-08 Champions League last 16 – a tie they went on to win. Roma came back from a Raul goal, with David Pizarro and Mancini on the scoresheet. The atmosphere was electric.

"I was working for Real Madrid TV at the time and all of us Madrid-based journalists were on the same coach. We needed a police escort to enter the stadium. I also did an interview for Roma TV when I finally got inside the stadium. Totti really turned it on in the second half but it was Daniele De Rossi who really stood out to me and I spoke about him during that interview.

"That same season, Roma came close to winning the Scudetto and I remember a former Italy international, who shall remain nameless, told me he’d rather see Inter win the league because, if they did, they’d celebrate for a week; but if Roma won it, he 'feared' the celebrations would go on for a year! What’s wrong with that? After I heard that, I decided that I that liked Roma even more!"

Roma were fifth in Serie A before the season stopped. What have you made of this season and where is there room for improvement?

"Roma started the season with both a new coach and system. Instant success is always difficult under these circumstances. Injuries to Nicolo Zaniolo and Javier Pastore haven't helped, either. But I think Paulo Fonseca has laid strong foundations already and I am excited to see where Roma are at next season.

"It wouldn't surprise me if Fonseca is eyeing another high-volume goalscorer during the off-season to complement Edin Dzeko."

As things stand, Roma are still in the Europa League and it may be the best route back into the Champions League. Given European games involve cross-country travel, how easy do you think it might be to finish the tournament?

"UEFA held a meeting this week and it seems the idea is to finish domestic leagues first and then plan for the completion of European tournaments in August. By then, travel restrictions may have been lifted, so it would be easier for Roma to get to Sevilla. The tie is problematic, though, because Italy and Spain have both been hard hit by the virus, so rigorous testing before and after travel would be needed.

"I think the best approach for the Europa and Champions League remains two-legged ties, although it wouldn’t surprise me if one-off games are also being explored. The question remains, though, where you play them. Let’s just say that I’m glad that I’m not in charge of these decisions!"

Roma players recently agreed to forgo four months’ salary this season, to protect the club during this period. Are gestures like that from footballers the best way for clubs to survive?

“Any higher earners, whether players or front office staff, can obviously help offset loses and stop any redundancies. But I also think footballers have been unfairly singled out, especially back in my home country, England. Luckily, and to their credit, most footballers are glad to help in a heartbeat.

“The Roma players and coaching staff should be applauded for their attitude towards the crisis, not least because they came forward with the proposal themselves and are also helping ensure club employees continue to get their regular income.

"It is another example of how forward-thinking the club is. They take such a modern approach to things and show a philosophy that extends beyond the game."

We all want football to resume soon, but Italy has been hit hard by Covid-19. Do you know anyone affected by the virus?

"Most of my in-laws live in Milan, so things have been pretty tough for them, but fortunately none of them have actually contracted the virus. My love and admiration goes out to the women who have had to give birth during this time without their partners or family being able to attend. This was the case with my friends, Costanza Caracciolo and [former Italy striker] Christian Vieri.

"A friend of my husband also caught the virus – a woman in her late twenties. Thankfully, she’s better now, but she explained to him how terrible it was when she was sick. And I am also friends with Jillian Sakovits, the Atlanta United sideline reporter, who tested positive for Covid-19.

"These two women are both healthy and young. It just shows how serious of a threat the virus is and why people must follow the health and safety guidelines to prevent it spreading further."

Given that, what’s your personal feeling about whether we will be able to finish the 2019-20 Serie A season?

"It is so hard to tell at this point. Of course, clubs like Roma, Serie A and the fans all want football back, but it’s really a decision for medical professionals to make to begin with. No football games should be played until it is safe to do so.

"It is important to look at the situation not just from a pandemic perspective. The players need to be protected from fixture overloads or they may get injured or be fatigued for the following season too."

When football does return and fans are allowed back inside stadia – whether this season or next – do you expect healthy attendances or smaller ones due to fear of infection?

"I think will see a lot of football with no fans for the foreseeable future or very strict criterion as to who can and can’t attend. Teams could also be forced to effectively halve their capacities by only selling a ticket for every other seat and row to respect social distancing.

"But I do hope that once it is safe to attend matches again, stadia will be packed. What a beautiful sight the Stadio Olimpico will be once full again. It will feel like a family reunited."

Roma Women's season was suspended with them just one point off a Champions League place. How important is it that women's teams and leagues are also given support to come through this crisis too?

"I have been really impressed with Roma Women this season. For a team just two years old to be pushing the likes of Juventus and right in the mix for a Champions League place, it is incredible. It shows what can happen when a club gets behind their women's team. I am a big fan of Andrine Hegerberg and Andressa Alves in particular. Let's hope the pandemic doesn't set them back.

"It is now so important that women’s teams and leagues are given support. This was something that was also completely necessary and important before the crisis, too.

"Fans need to support hte product. If you can't go to the stadium, watching televised games is easy and ratings matter. So tune in to women’s games when they are available to show your support. And if the games you want to see aren’t televised, speak up! Have your voice heard to show that the interest is there."

Okay, something a bit more fun to finish. If you could have a Zoom call with three Roma players, past or present, who would they be and why?

"It is hard not to put Totti in there, just to talk about his experiences and what it was like to spend his whole career at his beloved club.

"I would pick De Rossi, for sure, too! I loved that he created a WhatsApp group solely focused on discussing midfielders - I’d be asking about that and finding out if I could get an invite to it.

"And let’s put Cassano on the call, too – never a dull moment with that guy!"

Kay Murray is a US-based presenter for ESPN. You can follow Kay on Twitter @KayLMurray

You can listen to the CalcioCast podcast here.