Roma announced Thursday it has parted ways with the club's director of football, Walter Sabatini, after a five-year spell with the three-time Italian champion.
A statement on Roma's website thanked Sabatini for his efforts, and conceded it was a decision made by mutual consent between both parties. The termination of the contract comes with immediate effect, with Sabatini's last day being Oct. 7.
"I would like to thank Walter for what he did for Rome and for his dedication to our club," Roma chairman James Palotta said Thursday.
"I would also like to thank him for everything that I learned from him. Stop smoking, please!"
When American businessman Palotta bought Roma in 2012, he hired Sabatini to replace Daniele Prade as sporting director, making quick work of low-end players from Franco Sersi's tenure.
Among Sabatini's successes are the signings and subsequent sales for profit of Marquinhos and Erik Lamela to Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham, respectively. Those funds were used to acquire Gervinho, Morgan De Sanctis, Mehdi Benatia, Kevin Strootman, and Radja Nainggolan among others, with the latter pair playing a big part in the club's current form.
Sabatini can also consider the sales of Bojan Krkic, Daniel Osvaldo, and Michael Bradley as worthwhile moves, though the €24.5 million paid for Juan Iturbe from Hellas Verona may keep the 61-year-old former midfielder up at night.
Following the 2013-14 campaign, Sabatini was named Serie A's best director of football, signing a three-year deal with the club at season's end.
Ricky Massara will be appointed director of football on Friday, with Sabatini holding a press conference the same day.
