Roma general manager Franco Baldini has revealed that he approached Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola about the vacant manager's position over the summer.
The Serie A side, who were looking for a replacement for Vincenzo Montella, eventually appointed Barca B manager Luis Enrique.
"I obviously approached Guardiola," Baldini told reporters. "I asked him if he wanted to move to Roma and he told me to wait some years."
Despite Guardiola's refusal, Baldini said that he was pleased with Enrique's start as boss.
"I have liked Luis Enrique from the start," he added. "The facts have proved me right.
"This is his first real coaching experience and he has to make his own mistakes. The true crime is not to make mistakes, but to not acknowledge them.
"He will be a great coach, I wanted him to be that immediately, he has all the characteristics to become one. Now we have to provide him with the elements to succeed."
Roma are currently in 12th place in the Serie A table.
Jack Prescott
