AS Roma star Paulo Dybala has voiced his thoughts on the surprising dismissal of Daniele De Rossi as head coach of the Giallorossi, Soccernet.football reports.
After a poor start to the Serie A season, De Rossi was sacked on Wednesday, leaving Roma winless after four games.
Dybala, alongside his teammates Gianluca Mancini, Stephan El Shaarawy, and Bryan Cristante, took to social media to express their support for De Rossi.
The Argentine playmaker shared a heartfelt message on Instagram: “Mister, we didn’t spend many months together, but they were enough to pass on to us many things on a human and sporting level. Football is often unfair. Thanks for everything. I wish you the best for the future.”
De Rossi’s dismissal comes less than a year after he replaced José Mourinho in January 2024.
The club had extended his contract through 2027 following an impressive run that saw Roma reach the semi-finals of the Europa League last season.
Despite his initial success, Roma’s failure to secure a win this season has left them 16th in Serie A, with just three points from four matches.
De Rossi, a lifelong Roma player and a fan favorite, is regarded as one of the club’s most iconic figures, having spent nearly two decades with the team as a player.
His passionate style and leadership won him the admiration of fans, even though his managerial career began with limited experience, including a short spell with lower-league side SPAL.
Roma’s inability to capitalise on promising positions, like the last-minute draw against Genoa on Sunday, contributed to De Rossi’s downfall. With Champions League ambitions now a distant dream, the pressure mounted, and the club felt it was time for a change.
The club has swiftly moved to appoint Ivan Juric, formerly of Torino, as the new head coach, with a contract running until the end of the season. Roma will now face Udinese in their next Serie A match, followed by a crucial Europa League opener against Athletic Bilbao.