Roberto Vichi talks about his friendship with Ranieri and his role in women’s football

They have known each other forever, since their youth days in Roma’s academy. “We don’t see each other often, but when we do, it’s as if no time has passed. It’s always been like that with Claudio.”  

Helenio Herrera’s Roma (the Argentine is in the centre with a ball in his right hand) during a training camp in L’Aquila in 1972. Vichi is fourth from the left at the bottom and Ranieri is the third from the left at the back (AS Roma/DuFoto)

The person speaking is Roberto Vichi, currently the chief scout of Roma Women, with a past as a footballer in the 1970s and 1980s. He was part of “one of the best Primavera teams in our history, with Francesco Rocca, Franco Peccenini, Agostino Di Bartolomei, Bruno Conti, Claudio himself, but above all Stefano Pellegrini, he was really the best of the lot.” He later became a key player for Catanzaro under Gianni Di Marzio, reaching Serie A in 1976. The “Claudio” mentioned is, of course, Claudio Ranieri.  

Their footballing journeys began in tandem at Roma and 50 years later, their paths have crossed again, right where it all began for both of them, at Roma.  

Have you spoken to Ranieri?  

“Yes, we exchanged a few words after he signed in London. Do you know what I told him?”   

No, do tell.  

“That I used to hold the title of Roma’s longest-serving former player, but now he’s taken that record from me. There’s a three-year difference between us. He was born in 1951 and I came along in 1954.”  

After the announcement, Roma published a photo of the two of you from your younger days. Did you see it?  

“Of course. Several friends sent it to me on my phone. It was taken during a training camp with Helenio Herrera. We were young. Those were great times to be part of Roma.”  

What else did you say to him?  

“I told him how happy I am to see him not only as a coach, but now in this new executive role he’s going to perform. He deserves it for everything he’s given to football and especially to Roma, during the periods when he’s been here.”   

How does it feel to see him back at Trigoria?  

“I’m thrilled because he’s always the right man in the right place. He’s serious, honest and transparent. It’s not for me to judge him as a professional. The results that he’s achieved with all sorts of teams over the years speak for themselves. He’s incredibly skilled at getting the most out of his players, motivating them and instilling calmness in them. 

“I’ve followed Claudio’s coaching career since the very beginning. When I was at Pro Cisterna, I even suggested him for our dugout. At the time, he was just starting out and had only recently retired as a player, so I told him to come and talk to us.”  

And how did it go?  

“He was offered the chance to start in Serie C1 with Campania Puteolana and he chose to begin at that higher level. We were in C2 at the time, so of course, I agreed with his decision. After that stint, he went to Cagliari, and from there, we witnessed his brilliant rise as a coach, as one of the few Italians to manage in the Premier League, La Liga, and Ligue 1.”  

Vichi and Santarini during a match between Roma and Catanzaro in 1977 at the Stadio Olimpico (AS Roma/Collezione Santarini)

Later, your paths crossed once again in Turin at Juventus.  

“Thanks to Claudio. I’m still grateful to him even today. When he arrived at Juventus in 2007, after a few months, he called me and said he would put me forward as the head of scouting for central and southern Italy. My job was to report on players, both established and young talents, who were recommended for observation.   

“It was an important career opportunity for me, both professionally and personally, as it allowed me to leave my job in insurance. Claudio left Juventus after two seasons, despite achieving excellent results, but I stayed for 11 years. Until…”   

Until what?  

“Until Roma called me to take on the role of chief scout for the youth sector, about ten years ago. For me, it was the closing of a circle and the fulfilment of a dream, starting at Roma and finishing at Roma.”  

Just like your friend.  

“Exactly. Claudio and I have always stayed in touch, maintaining both a personal and professional relationship. I can tell you that in 2009, shortly after his first appointment as Roma coach, I suggested he bring the team to Anzio for a friendly. I was the general manager of Anziolavinio at the time.  

“The stadium, which could hold about 3,000 people, wasn’t just full; it was packed to the rafters. You couldn’t even walk through Anzio. That’s how many people came to watch the game.”  

Speaking of Roma, you’ve been the Roma Women chief scout since 2018.  

“At first, it wasn’t easy to be honest. I was stepping into an area I didn’t know much about. It was just me and Gianmarco Migliorati, who is now the Roma Women sporting director. The team was brand-new and there was so much work to do.   

“From then on, our rise to the top of Italian women’s football has been rapid and extraordinary. These last five years have been the best of my life and I’m not exaggerating. We’ve won two league titles, the Coppa Italia twice and one Super Cup.  Beyond the trophies, I want to highlight something else.”  

Please do.  

“The way women’s football has grown in this city. I’m thinking about Tre Fontane being packed out or the unforgettable Champions League night at the Olimpico against Barcelona with 40,000 spectators. I still get emotional thinking about it. It all happened so quickly.”  

The starting line-up in the recent derby victory at Tre Fontane on 17 November 2024

What were the secrets behind this success?  

“The ownership has always supported us with significant investments. At Giulio Onesti, we have so many professionals who not only love their work and excel at it, but they also love Roma. Alongside Gianmarco, Betty Bavagnoli, Carlo Stigliano and coach Alessandro Spugna, I want to mention the entire coaching staff, doctors, physiotherapists, the secretary, the team manager and even the kit staff and communications team.  

“In the meantime, our scouting department has grown with the addition of two collaborators: Alex Taribello and Ilaria Cesarini. It’s a team that works perfectly, both on and off the pitch. Our goal is to keep growing to reach the highest levels in Europe too.”  

Emilie Haavi recently renewed her contract for two more years.  

“Do you know how we discovered her? I went to Norway, to Lillestrom, to scout a different player, not her. Emilie came on in the second half and immediately impressed me. After the match, I called Gianmarco and said, ‘We’ve found our starting winger for the next few years. She’ll make us stronger.’ And that’s exactly how it turned out.  

“Our knowledge of global women’s football is now extensive. We track thousands of players worldwide.”  

Do you have a final message for Ranieri?  

“Forza Roma. He already knows the rest by heart.”  

Roma v Atalanta in the final Primavera final in 1973. Vichi is the second from the right at the front. The 11 players also include Agostino Di Bartolomei, Stefano Pellegrini, Francesco Rocca and Mauro Sandreani (AS Roma/Fondo Sellitri)