What should Roma supporters expect from De Rossi’s first full season as coach? | OneFootball

“When you’re starting as a coach and you put together your backroom team, you need people with more experience than you.”

There were plenty of unknowns when Daniele De Rossi returned to Roma to take over as the new manager—his first top-flight coaching stint. In just his second head coaching role, having managed SPAL in Serie B for four months last season before being dismissed, there were doubts about De Rossi’s readiness to lead the capital club.

He took on the role following Jose Mourinho’s dismissal in mid-January, and the club legend surpassed all expectations in his new position. The Special One was let go after consecutive losses to Lazio and Milan, marking a disappointing end for a coach who had reignited the team’s passion, belief, and affection.

The Stadio Olimpico frequently sold out thanks to the Mourinho Effect, and he secured the club’s first European trophy, as well as their first trophy of any kind since 2008.

While the mood during this stretch was dark, Roma fans were reignited by the club’s decision to appoint De Rossi—who got off to a quick start by winning 7 of his first 9 games in charge.

Although the team ultimately fell short in their objective of Champions League qualification, the club were still impressed with the turnaround as De Rossi signed a contract extension thru June 2027.

De Rossi’s Impact in Roma

Initially appointed on an interim basis, De Rossi quickly transformed the Giallorossi’s playing style by implementing a more attack-minded approach.

He immediately switched from a three to four-man defence and overhauled the midfield, which struggled during Mourinho’s final months.

“I’m satisfied but I’m also aware that we haven’t achieved anything yet. Nobody knows this city better than me, so I know that everything can change here in a split-second,” says De Rossi.

Fans were treated to a more aggressive and dynamic playing style under De Rossi’s management and can have more betting opportunities at sports betting or betting exchange sites provided by review sites like GambleOntario.ca, where you can learn more about these particular opportunities.

Inspired by the likes of Luciano Spalletti and Luis Enrique, Roma’s possession and scoring numbers improved considerably under De Rossi—displaying clear indications of how he wants the team to play.

One of De Rossi’s former teammates, Antonio Cassano, was very impressed by the job he did in his first six months in charge.

“De Rossi gave Roma the belief that this is a strong team, he’s doing an extraordinary job. He was always destined for this,” stated Cassano during an appearance on La Domenica Sportiva.

An Important Summer

Ahead of his first season in charge, De Rossi will rely on new technical director Florent Ghisolfi to shape and reinforce the squad.

The Frenchman will need to get creative this summer as Roma’s budget will be limited due to multiple factors, including Financial Fair Play. Nonetheless, several holes within the squad need to be filled, including the massive one in attack left by Romelu Lukaku.

The Belgian is back with Chelsea after his one-year loan deal expired, and there’s no indication he’ll return to the Italian capital for a second season. As a result, Ghisolfi must replace the team’s top goalscorer from last season.

However, he’s likely to have additional flexibility aided by the departures of Leonardo Spinazzola and Rui Patricio, both of whom were two of the team’s top ten wage-earners.

The Verdict

So as Roma gears up for the upcoming season under De Rossi’s leadership, fans have every reason to be optimistic. He’s well-versed in the city’s fervent, and often hyperbolic, environment and strives to play a more progressive, attacking-minded style of football than Mourinho. The big question is whether supporters will have the patience to endure the inevitable hiccups that will come during this new period.