Antonio Cassano tells Mats Hummels to PHYSICALLY ATTACK his own manager

Carlo Garganese

• 10 Nov 2024 12:15 GMT
• 3 min read

Antonio Cassano has launched a withering attack on Roma manager Ivan Juric, calling on Mats Hummels to attack his own coach.

Juric is on the brink of the sack at the Stadio Olimpico after a disastrous short reign at the club.

Taking over in mid-September from Roma legend Daniele De Rossi, Juric has overseen four wins, three draws, and four defeats in 11 matches.

Hugely unpopular with fans, Juric has been heavily criticised by supporters and the media for his brutal treatment towards new signing Hummels.

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The 35-year-old joined Roma on a free transfer this summer after hugely impressing last season in Borussia Dortmund’s run to the Champions League final.

However, Hummels has been handed just 23 minutes of football - all in one substitute appearance where he also scored an own goal - with Roma.

And despite a defensive crisis on Thursday in the Europa League against Union SG, Juric opted to play a left back (Angelino) and a central midfielder (Bryan Cristante) in the centre of defence rather than use Hummels.

This was the final straw for the outspoken Cassano, who has blasted the treatment of such a legend.

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What did Cassano say?

“If I was Hummels, I would go into the dressing room and pin Juric against the wall,” Cassano said.

“Juric has shown zero respect towards Hummels. He can’t treat a great champion like Hummels as if he is a dud.

“There must be respect shown to someone who has won everything, is a leader and who trains and doesn’t complain.

“Why does he treat a champion who was in the best XI of the Champions League last season like this?

“Juric does what many coaches do and only kisses the a**es of the club’s most represented players like Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini.”

Hummels has been tipped to be sold by Roma during the transfer window in January, although things could change if Juric is sacked.

There are reports that former Italy manager Roberto Mancini is in talks to replace Juric during the international break.