De Rossi outlined reasons for snubbing Man Utd before following Mourinho
Daniele de Rossi has been confirmed as the new head coach of AS Roma - just hours after the Serie A outfit dispensed with the services of Jose Mourinho.
Mourinho, formerly of Chelsea and Manchester United, moved to Italy back in May 2021 shortly after parting company with Tottenham. His two-and-a-half year stint came to a premature end on Tuesday, though, following a string of underwhelming results.
Roma promptly confirmed that De Rossi, a club legend, had been installed as Mourinho's successor on a deal which runs until the end of the season.
Roma owners Dan and Ryan Friedkin said: "We are happy to be able to hand over the managerial role of AS Roma to Daniele De Rossi, as we feel that the leadership and ambition that have always defined him can prove decisive in achieving the team's objectives until the end of the season.
"We were aware of Daniele’s unbreakable bond with the club, but his enthusiasm for accepting the position for the next few months convinced us even more of his ability to be a guide for the players and a proud representative of the club's values. Welcome home, Daniele."
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The former Italy midfielder spent 18 years at the Italian giants before a year-long swansong in Argentina with Boca Juniors but he has previously spoken about reported interest from Manchester United.
Sir Alex Ferguson was known to be a big fan of the midfield technician - but United's own strength in depth in that area of the pitch was enough to convince De Rossi that the possibility of a move to Old Trafford wasn't worth looking into.
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Mourinho was dismissed by Roma on Tuesday morning (Getty Images)He told Sky Sports back in April 2020: "Since I was a child I have loved United. It was the right choice that I didn't go to Manchester because there was [Roy] Keane and [Paul] Scholes, incredible players. It was really my desire to go to Boca Juniors. I never chose to leave Roma, but I felt like a god at Boca."
Unsurprisingly given his affiliation with the club, De Rossi had previously expressed a desire to return to Rome and manage one day. He added: "I would like to coach Roma, but first I have to become a coach and to do it there is a growth path that all young coaches need. In a few days I became from an old footballer to a young coach, I see things with a relaxation that you cannot afford as a footballer.
"I’d like to sit on that bench, but I’m in no hurry to make it happen tomorrow. I presume I hope it will happen: it will happen if I have become a good coach and not because I have been a very important player for Roma."
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