Daniele De Rossi is not a fan of the expression ‘my football’ and feels only four coaches are entitled to say so: Pep Guardiola, Roberto De Zerbi, Diego Simeone and Antonio Conte.
The 2006 Italy World Cup winner held his first press conference as a Roma coach on Friday, on the eve of a Serie A game against Hellas Verona at the Stadio Olimpico.
He was asked the main principles of ‘his football’, understood as his playing style, but the 40-year-old replied: “To hear ‘my football’ gives me chills and I’ve heard it from coaches I respect too. It’s a wrong expression because it’s not my football. If Guardiola says ‘my football’, we can stay there and ask him to explain. He has a bit of geniality that has allowed us to see something new. The same is true of De Zerbi, Simeone or Conte, who have changed something in football.
“I am not at their level and I think you recognise good coaches from how their teams play. If Roma, at the end of this journey, will be recognisable and organised, I’ll be happy. To be remembered as somebody who plays well and makes the team win is enough for me.”
De Rossi also spoke about the length of his contract at the Stadio Olimpico, revealing that he didn’t even negotiate his salary, giving owners the freedom to ‘put a figure on.’
The 2006 Italy World Cup winner revealed that he had sent a message to his predecessor, José Mourinho, following his sacking on Tuesday. He admitted the decision to hire him was unrelated to his results with SPAL, as he was sacked by the Serie B side last term after three wins in 17 matches.
De Rossi, a former Roma midfielder and a product of the club’s academy, played 616 games for the Giallorossi as a footballer.
Read his pre-match press conference in full here.