Daniele De Rossi's hiring at Roma came before he expected. He couldn't say no
Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the Champions League round of 16, 2nd leg, soccer match between FC Porto and AS Roma at the Dragao stadium in Porto, Portugal, March 6, 2019. Roma has announced on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024 that José Mourinho is leaving the club “with immediate effect.” Former Roma captain Daniele De Rossi was named as Mourinho’s replacement with a contract through the end of the season. Credit: AP/Luis Vieira
ROME — Daniele De Rossi had often said that he wanted to coach Roma only after he had attained the appropriate experience.
Then came the call from the Giallorossi’s American owners, Dan and Ryan Friedkin, after their decision to part ways with José Mourinho.
“You don’t say no to Roma,” De Rossi — a former Roma captain — explained Friday during his presentation as Mourinho’s replacement.
“It’s a little like what happened to (Andrea) Pirlo with Juventus,” De Rossi said, recalling how his former Italy teammate was put in charge of the Bianconeri four years ago without any coaching experience. “There are men who refuse and there are men who throw themselves in.”
The 40-year-old De Rossi played 18 seasons with Roma as a midfielder and won the World Cup with Italy in 2006. He coached SPAL in Serie B for four months last season and was an assistant to Roberto Mancini when Italy won the European Championship in 2021.
“I didn’t come back here just to put on the sweatshirt,” said De Rossi, who was wearing a sweatshirt with his initials of “DDR” stitched onto the right side of his chest. “It’s not just about nostalgia for the past.
“The only reason I would have said no would have been if I thought this was a bad team,” De Rossi added. “But I think this is a strong team. So we need to show that and that in turn could help me in terms of career development. We’ll see in a few months how it turns out.”
Daniele De Rossi speaks during a press conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monday, July 29, 2019. Roma has announced on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024 that José Mourinho is leaving the club “with immediate effect.” Former Roma captain Daniele De Rossi was named as Mourinho’s replacement with a contract through the end of the season. Credit: AP/Tomas F. Cuesta
However, De Rossi did allow that he “expected a more gradual path” to the Roma job.
Mourinho was let go on Tuesday with Roma languishing in ninth place, two days after a 3-1 loss at AC Milan left the team at risk of missing the Champions League for a sixth straight season.
Roma was also eliminated by Lazio in an Italian Cup derby last week.
“I would be content if we finish in the top four,” De Rossi said. “It won’t be easy to attain but it’s definitely possible.
Roma coach Jose Mourinho reacts during the Serie A soccer match between Roma and Hellas Verona at Rome's Olympic stadium, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022. Roma has announced on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024 that José Mourinho is leaving the club “with immediate effect.” Credit: AP/Alfredo Falcone
“I don’t need to over-analyze the problems,” De Rossi added. “I’m fortunate in that because I'm a fan of the club I’ve watched every match. I know this squad better than any other in the world — so that reduces the amount of study time needed.”
De Rossi’s debut will come against relegation-threatened Hellas Verona at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.
He signed a six-month contract that expires at the end of the season, amid speculation that Roma will then try to hire a more experienced coach like Antonio Conte.
“I will fight to the death to stay here,” De Rossi said. “I’m going to try and earn it on the pitch. That would be a dream for me. Dan and Ryan were very clear about the length of the contract and I said, ‘Fine, you name the salary but I want a bonus if we qualify for the Champions League.’”
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