Former Roma coach Daniele De Rossi, who was dismissed in September 2024, recently shared his thoughts on his coaching aspirations in an interview with The Overlap. Reflecting on his past experiences and future goals, De Rossi expressed a strong desire to expand his coaching career internationally.
De Rossi revealed his early interest in coaching, stating, “I understood early on that I wanted to be a coach. In the last years of my playing career, I studied matches as if I were preparing for them.” He acknowledged the evolution of football tactics over the years, noting that advice from legendary coaches like Fabio Capello and Marcello Lippi has become less relevant today. “If I think about the advice from Capello or Lippi from 20 years ago… those things no longer exist,” he remarked.
Discussing his time in Argentina, De Rossi recounted a memorable moment after losing in the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores against Millonarios. “I witnessed the greatest display of love in my life. The fans stood up to applaud us despite our defeat. They were crying but proud of us,” he said, highlighting the deep emotional connection between players and supporters in South America.
Looking ahead, De Rossi expressed his ambitions: “I would like to coach in different countries, especially in England. Then I want to return to Boca Juniors because I am in love with that team.” He elaborated on his affection for Boca, saying, “Maybe it’s because they are similar to us, but it’s completely crazy there; football is like a religion.” He also shared his experience of playing in the intense Boca-River Plate derby, describing it as something extraordinary: “Right after the whistle blew, we started fighting. We received around 12 yellow cards, and it ended without any goals.”
