'We have to catch up to the Premier League but we need patience' - New Roma Owner Friedkin

New Roma Owner Dan Friedkin. Photo: Vivien Killilea/Getty Images

New Roma owner Dan Friedkin admitted The Friedkin Group has taken on ‘tremendous responsibility’ and said the investment was made out of ‘passion for the city, the team, the people and for football’.


Some weeks after buying the club from former patron James Pallotta, new owner Friedkin spoke to Roma’s official website.

“It was a wonderful, humbling moment, and we were delighted to join the AS Roma family,” the new owner said. “It was also a moment of great seriousness, as we have a tremendous responsibility.

“A moment that we couldn’t linger on, as there is so much work to do.”

Friedkin insists the Giallorossi aren’t solely business and underlined Roma are a ‘passion’ and one of his ‘favourite places on earth’.

“Absolutely not. While we will run the club with the professionalism, discipline and dedication of any of our businesses, this is first and foremost a passion – a passion for the city, for the team, for the people, and for football.

“The fans [captured me]. The passion of the local fans, the Curva Sud, and Roma fans all around the world. And the city is one of my very favourite places on earth.

“Italian football has such an incredible legacy.

“We have work to do to catch up to the Premier League in terms of international exposure and revenues, but there’s absolutely no reason that we shouldn’t be among the best, if not the best, leagues in the world.

“A big part of this of course is infrastructure, and we are fully committed to working with the city to build a beautiful new stadium as soon as possible.

“We believe that a winning culture must start at the top and we intend to lead by example.

“Make no mistake – we share this ambition with the fans, and we intend to win. But, we need patience – champions aren’t built overnight. We promise to work hard, smart and strategically, and to be 100 per cent committed to AS Roma."