Hermoso ‘not used’ to Roma’s coach changes and can’t rule out La Liga return | OneFootball

Mario Hermoso admitted the situation he’s facing at Roma is ‘not easy’ as he has already watched two managers come and go in his first months at the club, with newly-appointed Claudio Ranieri becoming his third coach this season.

Such a lack of stability is in stark contrast with what the defender has lived at Atletico Madrid, where he played for five seasons under boss Diego Simeone, and he hopes to find the same ‘consistency’ soon at the Stadio Olimpico.

epa11627155 AS Roma’s Mario Hermoso (L) and Athletic’s Inaki Williams in action during the UEFA Europa League soccer match between AS Roma and Athletic Club Bilbao, in Rome, Italy, 26 September 2024. EPA-EFE/FABIO FRUSTACI

The 29-year-old swapped the Madrid outfit with Roma last summer, but he conceded he can’t ‘close the door’ to a potential return to Spain as the ease of playing in his own ‘home country’ is something that he’s still attracted to and would make things ‘easier’.

Hermoso: changing three coaches ‘not easy’, ‘I can’t close the door’ on a return to Spain

“Settling in at Roma was difficult, but within the team, despite the coaching changes, there’s a great atmosphere, even though we haven’t yet found consistency in the league,” Hermoso told AS in an interview.

“Personally, however, I adapted quickly. And then there are the Argentinians and Angeliño, who’s also Spanish.

“It’s not easy [to change two coaches quickly], honestly. I wasn’t used to these kinds of changes, but football is like that, and you have to adapt. I hope we’ll soon find consistency in our results and be able to turn the situation around.”

DORTMUND, GERMANY – APRIL 16: Aston Villa target Mario Hermoso of Atletico Madrid celebrates after Mats Hummels of Borussia Dortmund (not pictured) scores an own goal, Atletico Madrid’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid at Signal Iduna Park on April 16, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Real Madrid reportedly targeted Hermoso to replace long-term injured Eder Militão, and the Giallorossi defender admitted to being still ‘grateful’ to the Merengues for the time he spent there playing for their youth sides at the beginning of his career.

“Yes, yes. I read about it [the transfer rumours]. Many friends told me,” the Spaniard added.

“It has happened during various transfer windows. Every time you’re linked to great teams like Real Madrid, it’s an honour. I was part of their youth academy, and I’m grateful for everything they contributed to my development.

“I’m 29, and a large part of my career has been in Spain.

“I like La Liga football, and being in your home country makes everything easier. That’s why I can’t close the door on a possible return to Spain.”