Enrique has five-year Roma plan

By Football Italia staff

Luis Enrique has long term plans for Roma after admitting a desire to stay beyond his present contract which expires in 2013.

The Spaniard is under increasing pressure in the Italian capital after an inconsistent first campaign at the Olimpico.

However, the former Barcelona B boss is adamant that his style of football can be a success with the Giallorossi.

“You’ll have to cope with me for another four or five years – minimum,” he said ahead of the game against Palermo.

“Obviously you never know what may happen in football, but if it was just up to me then I’d stay here for another five years.

“Has the project failed? When I came here I knew that it would be difficult, but I am giving my all and working hard. I won’t give up.”

Roma have lost four of their last six games and will take on the Rosanero after being defeated in the derby last weekend.

“Psychologically it has been a difficult week because my players have had to come to terms with a demoralizing defeat.

“That's another reason why tomorrow's match in Sicily will be tough.

“Then of course Palermo are doing fantastically well at home and they have a great squad with lots of quality up front in particular.

“They're especially good on the counter. It's an important game that will tell us a lot about our future – I expect to see us turn the ship around. I'm curious to see how we play against Palermo.”

One of the criticisms labelled at the club was their inability to strengthen the squad during the January transfer window.

“I have no complaints to make about the people who run this club. We put the team together quite hurriedly in the summer, but we had an excellent squad after the winter transfer window. I'm happy with the club's transfer dealings.

“Injuries in defence and up front? There's no injury crisis in either of those areas. I'm disappointed that we're missing some top players, especially for the players themselves, but I'm not worried.”

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