Serie A giants sack club legend after four games

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 18 Sept 2024 09:11 BST
• 3 min read

Daniele De Rossi has been sacked by Roma after failing to win a Serie A game this campaign.

The club legend has been let go after only seven months as head coach. The former Italy international joined after Jose Mourinho departed the side.

A club statement read: “The 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.

READ MORE: Who will win Ballon d’Or 2024? Shortlist, favourites, latest odds, date and past winners

“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.”

Nota del Club

📄 https://t.co/dFX1ejoWtr#ASRoma pic.twitter.com/YznjGd8pXL

— AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) September 18, 2024

The head coach was sent to the stands after being given a red card at the end of Roma’s 1-1 draw at Genoa on Sunday, a game which sees Roma now 16th in the Serie A table.

Rossi played as a midfielder for the club from 2001 to 2019. He replaced Mourinho as head coach in January but has failed to see the side deliver results on the pitch.

Fellow Giallorossi legend Francesco Totti claimed that De Rossi was being made a 'scapegoat' for the poor performances on the pitch.

READ MORE: Which football managers have been sacked this season?

Francesco Totti blasts club

De Rossi was asked about Totti's comments after the draw against Genoa.

“I don’t know what he meant, I didn’t speak to him after he gave that interview," he said.

“All coaches are scapegoats in a way,” he added. “I was asked to come in at a difficult moment but I think I’ve earned my right to stay on as Roma’s head coach. “If the results aren’t coming and you are sent away – well, that’s the role of the coach."

De Rossi made 616 appearances and scored 63 goals for AS Roma in all competitions, ranking second in the club's all-time appearance record.

During his time there, he won the Coppa Italia twice, in 2007 and 2008, along with one Supercoppa in 2007.