Roma's Garcia shrugs off detractors

New Roma boss Rudi Garcia brushed off suggestions he wasn’t the Serie A club’s first choice to fill the vacant manager’s position, with the Frenchman preferring to concentrate on what lies ahead after a disappointing past season for the Romans.

“Being the first choice or not isn’t important. The most important thing is to be the coach from this point forward and then to impress,” Garcia said as he was officially presented during a press conference at the club’s training base on Wednesday.

Garcia, 49, became the first Frenchman to take charge of Roma following his appointment last week, but only after the club had been linked to Laurent Blanc and Marcelo Bielsa having seen both Walter Mazzarri and Massimiliano Allegri turn down the job.

The ex-Lille coach has been tasked with the expectation of guiding Roma back into Europe after the club failed to qualify after finishing sixth last term before losing the Coppa Italia to city rivals Lazio.

Garcia, who secured a league and Cup double with Lille during the 2010/11 season, said he would not stray from his trademark management style at the Stadio Olimpico.

“My philosophy won’t change. If you play well you will have more chance of playing.

“I’ve always had teams that start slowly and finish strongly, that allowed us to qualify for European competition four out of five times and to win the (French Ligue 1) title with Lille,” said Garcia, adding: “We will work hard, of that you can be sure.”

Asked about the futures of two of his star players, captain Francesco Totti and Daniele de Rossi, Garcia responded: “They are talented players, leaders. Totti is a great player, he plays an important role both on and off the pitch.”

But he was noncommittal over speculation surrounding De Rossi, who’s been linked with a move away from the club after a difficult season in the Italian capital.

“De Rossi plays for the national team,” said Garcia, referring to the midfielder who’s currently on international duty with Italy at the Confederations Cup in Brazil. “Give me time to see my players.”