AS Roma president James Pallotta has defended his involvement in the club.

Pallotta was asked whether he should be taking a more active role in the club's affairs after protests from fans that there was no real leadership in the city.

"You shouldn't believe what you read. Let's put all of this in perspective. I have actually only been President of Roma for the last 10 months, so many of the decisions - good ones and some bad - before I became President were made last August.

"I think the first real choice I've been involved with in the coaching side is with Rudi and I expect him to be with us for a long, long time.

"On a day to day basis we have a pretty talented team led by Italo Zanzi, who has also only been here for six months, so he has been getting to know everyone and has a good handle on things right now.

"Just because I'm not in Rome on a day to day basis has nothing to do with the effort I or others spend on the operations of Roma.

"I'm sorry if you think I disappoint you if I'm not quoted on a daily basis, but I refuse to believe we should be managing Roma in public.

"As far as Franco Baldini goes, I want to thank him for the time he spent with Roma, both on a professional and personal basis, as I had become very close to Franco. I think he's done a lot of good things for Roma, it was time for him to make a change and I wish him all the best. We will always remain friends and he'll always be a part of Roma."