Roma has decided to part ways with their club legend, Daniele De Rossi, just four games into the new Serie A season. The former midfielder returned as an interim coach in January after Jose Mourinho’s departure.
The decision to sack De Rossi comes after a disappointing start to the season, with the team only managing to secure three points in their first four matches. This includes three draws and one defeat, leaving the capital club without a single win so far.
De Rossi, who was handed a full-time contract in June, also received a one-game touchline ban for dissent during a 1-1 draw with Genoa on Sunday. However, he will not have the chance to serve it as he has been abruptly dismissed by the owner, Dan Friedkin.
This marks the third managerial change under Friedkin’s ownership, following the departures of Paulo Fonseca and Jose Mourinho. Mourinho led the team to their first ever European trophy, the 2022 Conference League, and also reached the Europa League final in the following year. However, he was sacked six months later after a disagreement with the club’s hierarchy.
In an attempt to lift spirits, De Rossi, a beloved figure among fans, was appointed as an interim coach at the beginning of the year. The 41-year-old, who spent his entire career at Roma, made 616 appearances in 18 seasons before a short stint with Boca Juniors in 2019. As a player, De Rossi also represented Italy 117 times and played a crucial role in their 2006 World Cup victory. He had previously served as an assistant coach for the national team, while his only managerial experience was a six-month stint with Serie B side SPAL.
Under De Rossi’s guidance, Roma saw a change in their system which helped improve the performance of struggling players like Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini. The team finished sixth in the Serie A standings and also made it to the Europa League semi-finals, where they lost 1-0 to eventual champions Bayer Leverkusen.
