Italian soccer icon Daniele De Rossi was sacked by AS Roma on Wednesday morning after a difficult start of the season, where the Giallorossi drew three games and lost one in the opening four matches of the season. De Rossi, who previously was a club icon and captain at Roma, was appointed last January after the sacking of Jose Mourinho. The club have appointed former Verona and Torino manager Ivan Juric, who signed a contract running until the summer 2025.
In the second part of the 2023-24 season, AS Roma failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League and ended up sixth in the league, qualifying for the Europa League this year, but they also reached the semifinals of the Europa League last season before losing to Bayer Leverkusen. The good results and the good football expressed under the caretaker manager convinced American owner Dan Friedkin and the club to extend De Rossi's deal until June 2027.
During the summer, Roma made some key signings such as Mario Hermoso (free agent), Mats Hummels (free agent) Matias Soule from Juventus and Artem Dovbyk from Girona among others. At the same time, Argentinian striker Paulo Dybala decided to stay at the club despite a bid coming from Saudi side Al-Qadsiah. The summer signings and the decision of Dybala only increased the expectations around De Rossi in his first full season at Roma, but only four games into the season the club decided to sack him.
Roma have lost against Empoli in their first home match of the season and drew against Cagliari, Juventus and, most recently, Genoa over last weekend. On Wednesday the Giallorossi announced the decision, one which left the majority of the fans speechless.
"AS Roma announces that Daniele De Rossi has been relieved of his duties as head coach of the first team. The club's decision is made in the best interests of the team, to get back on the desired path as soon as possible at a time when the season is still in its early stages. A heartfelt thank you to Daniele, who will always be at home at the Giallorossi club, for the work he has done in recent months with passion and dedication."
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