De Rossi recounts ‘traumatizing’ Roma exit | OneFootball

Daniele De Rossi discussed the privilege and trauma of coaching and being sacked by Roma, the team of his heart.

The legendary Giallorossi captain and former manager spoke to Corriere della Sera about his short-lived managerial experience at Roma.

“What happened? You shouldn’t be asking me. We had set up a long-term project. In my head there was the idea of ​​growing together with a young team and some more experienced players with the aim of fighting for the Scudetto in 2027, the year of the centenary. And instead…”

“I know that in football without results no one gives you time, but everything was put aside too soon. The seasons now start in mid-August, we did preseason with 16 Primavera boys, the transfer market was open and the team was yet to be built. I trained the last 4-5 signings for only a few days before being sacked,” he added.

“I want to focus on the feeling of the honor and happiness of having coached Roma and lived up to it. Having left her so soon, leaves me the possibility of trying again one day. I don’t experience it as an obsession, but many coaches, Ranieri being the most recent example, have returned to the same club more than once. As Califano said: I don’t rule out a return.”

“What I hold against the Friedkins? Maybe not having spoken to me before making such a drastic decision. And I should have picked up the phone more often given the relationship we had. But I continue to thank them because they allowed me to coach the team of my heart.”

“They made the final decision to fire me, but I believe it was very much directed, even with versions that do not correspond to the truth, by those who are no longer with us today. And they did not work for the good of Roma.”

“For a while I was unable to watch Roma games. But now it’s all over, it’s water under the bridge, I’ve gone back to watching their games and cheering them on.”

“Ranieri’s intelligence, experience and pragmatism were certainly fundamental at that moment. I can only say that my emotions seeing the Olimpico full of flags against Bilbao in the Europa League were not inferior to his. I would have liked to be in the middle of that sea of ​​yellow and red: it was one of the most beautiful demonstrations, in its simplicity, that a fan base has ever staged. No artificial choreography: each one with a half yellow and half red flag, like when we were children.”

“Near the end of my time at Roma I was eager to try and focus on Moise Kean. But I also turned down the opportunity of signing Retegui, who went on to become top goal-scorer, so it evens out.”