Did Dybala get Roma legend De Rossi sacked?

Tom Weber

Updated: 21 Sep 2024 09:51 CDT
3 min read

Paulo Dybala, Daniele de Rossi — © IMAGO

Paulo Dybala's contract situation had a part to play in Daniele de Rossi's shock sacking as Roma boss, according to Italian media.

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The Serie A giant made the surprising decision to relieve their club legend of his head coaching duties just a few months after extending his contract. De Rossi took over from Jose Mourinho last season and earned himself a promotion from interim to permanent boss.

However, after a poor start to the new season, the 41-year-old was axed in what was a huge surprise to fans and media alike. Since his departure, speculation surrounding his relationship with the club's controversial owners, the Friedkins, has abounded.

It has been claimed that the Americans wanted a non-Italian head coach to give Roma a more international image, which eventually culminated in the appointment of Ivan Juric.

Now, Tuttomercatoweb has revealed some spicy details regarding Paulo Dybala's contract that allegedly fractured the relationship between De Rossi and the club hierarchy.

Dybala contract crucial

The Italian outlet claims that Dybala's contract contains an automatic extension clause that will be triggered if he plays at least 45 minutes in 50 per cent of Roma's games this term.

That extension would also include a sizeable pay rise. Club bosses, it is asserted, implored De Rossi to ensure that Dybala did not reach the necessary threshold of appearances so as not to trigger the extension.

De Rossi, of course, was not a huge fan of this idea as Dybala is arguably Roma's most talented player. As a result of this 'interference' from the club, the legend offered to hand in his resignation.

This, in turn, did not appeal to the bosses and 'the parties mended the situation.' However, the relationship and trust between the coach and his higher-ups was broken from that point onwards eventually culminating in his shock sacking.