Former Roma director Walter Sabatini has publicly apologised to Francesco Totti for pushing him to retire.

Sabatini, now with Bologna, admits he was wrong to make the suggestion.

“I told him to call it a day, because I was afraid his qualities would decline and I would've been sad if he'd closed his career on a downward trajectory," Sabatini said at a book presentation with Totti present.

“However, I came to realise it was a huge mistake and I'd said something completely stupid, because he enjoyed himself when playing.

“As time went on, the sensation I'd made an error only increased. He enjoyed himself to the very end, so Francesco, I apologise to you. I said something dumb, one of many in my life."