De Rossi left Marassi after being sent off in the closing minutes of a Genoa v Roma match last season, sprinting down the tunnel without realising it would be his final game in charge of Roma. Days later came the unexpected dismissal and the arrival of Ivan Juric.
On Sunday the circle may close, with Daniele De Rossi hoping to emerge from that same tunnel as Genoa’s new head coach. A quirk of fate, as if that Genoa v Roma had marked the turning point in his career, and that dash after the red card was the first unconscious step towards the Rossoblu bench.
Between past and future lies the present. Genoa are in deep trouble, bottom of the table on three points and mired in boardroom uncertainty. Following the sacking of Patrick Vieira and the appointment of Diego Lopez as Chief of Football, the club set about finding a new manager. The De Rossi idea has gathered momentum to the point that it could become reality in the coming hours. Genoa have also sounded out Paolo Vanoli, although his candidacy appears to be further back in the queue.
Twisting fates are at play in the traffic of coaches and benches. De Rossi and Vanoli are candidates not only for Genoa but also for the almost vacant job at Fiorentina, a long-distance duel that could soon move onto the pitch. De Rossi could quickly commit to Genoa and Vanoli to Fiorentina, and as chance would have it, Serie A has Genoa and Fiorentina facing each other this coming Sunday. De Rossi is now waiting to settle the deal that would tie him to Genoa, offering him a fresh challenge and a special Sunday to mark his return to management.
