16th January, 2024
AS Roma have confirmed the appointment of Daniele De Rossi as head coach of the club until 30 June, 2024.
The announcement came after the club sacked former coach Jose Mourinho on Tuesday.
Roma, in a statement on its website said after an 18-year playing career with the club, De Rossi would return home as head coach, with his first game being the club’s upcoming Serie A match against Verona on Saturday evening at the Stadio Olimpico.
“We are happy to be able to hand over the managerial role of AS Roma to Daniele De Rossi, as we feel that the leadership and ambition that have always defined him can prove decisive in achieving the team’s objectives until the end of the season,” said Dan and Ryan Friedkin.
“We were aware of Daniele’s unbreakable bond with the club, but his enthusiasm for accepting the position for the next few months convinced us even more of his ability to be a guide for the players and a proud representative of the club’s values. Welcome home, Daniele,” Friedkin said.
De Rossi returns to Roma after having previously played for the club.
Born in Rome and a graduate of the club’s academy, Daniele joined AS Roma as a teenager in 2000, making his first-team debut in 2001 before quickly establishing himself as one of the world’s best midfielders.
“I would like to thank the Friedkin family for entrusting me with the responsibility of Roma’s head coach role. From my side, I know no other way but dedication, daily sacrifices, and giving everything I have in order to face the challenges that await us from now until the end of the season,” said De Rossi.
“The excitement of being able to sit on our bench is indescribable. Everyone knows what Roma means to me. However, the work that awaits us all has already taken precedence.
“We have no time or choice but to be competitive, fight for our goals, and try to achieve them, which are the only priorities my staff and I have set for ourselves,” he added.
De Rossi made 616 appearances and scored 63 goals for the Giallorossi in all competitions, ranking second in the club’s all-time appearance record.
At club level, he won the Coppa Italia twice, in 2007 and 2008, along with one Supercoppa in 2007.
In addition to his record-breaking accomplishments with Roma, Rossi has also had a successful international career.
He played 117 games in the Italian shirt, and has represented the Azzurri in eight major international competitions. In 2006, he won the World Cup with his Roma teammates, Francesco Totti and Simone Perrotta.
After retiring from football, De Rossi joined the Italian national team’s coaching staff, where he lifted the European Championship trophy on July 11th, 2021, at Wembley Stadium, before taking over as head coach of SPAL last season.