Football Italia
·27 October 2024
Football Italia
·27 October 2024
While there are some reports Roma have asked Daniele De Rossi to return in place of Ivan Juric, Zvonimir Boban blasts the Friedkin family. ‘How dare you? Shame on you!’
The Giallorossi were humiliated 5-1 by Fiorentina this evening at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, adding to the immense pressure already building on the coach.
The campaign has been a disaster from the start, with club icon De Rossi sacked on September 18 with no warning to bring in Juric.
In eight games, the Croatian has overseen three victories, two draws and three defeats between Serie A and the Europa League.
Now RAI Sport suggest that Roma have called De Rossi – who is under a new agent since his dismissal – and asked him to return, seeing as he is still under contract.
They expect a response on Monday.
ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND – OCTOBER 02: CEO of The Friedkin Group, Dan Freidkin plays a shot during a practice round prior to the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2024 at the Old Course at St Andrews on October 02, 2024 in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Speaking as a pundit on Sky Sport Italia this evening, Boban had extremely harsh words for the owners of Roma, Dan and Ryan Friedkin.
“The problem is that Juric is the last coach you would want to bring into this situation,” said Boban.
“He is good at a very different style of football, he wants very physically strong players with stamina, whereas he has taken on a squad with a great deal of technical quality.
“He is also not suited to taking over midway through a season without any work over the summer in training.”
Former Milan director Boban aimed his harshest criticism at the decision that was made to fire De Rossi, having already sacked Jose Mourinho in January, and not bring Francesco Totti in.
“This is an absurd situation that has been created by an inadequate leadership that is disrespectful towards the values of Roma fans.
“There are people who wrote the history of Roma and they have been thrown aside as if they were nobody. I am not saying that a great former player must become a great director or coach, but they did not allow Totti any opportunity to learn the role.
“The same goes for De Rossi, they burned him immediately, as if he was zero. Who are you to do that? How dare you? Shame on you!”
The Friedkin family had at first been welcomed as American owners, but with Milan facing similar problems under RedBird, Boban believes there is a fundamental disconnect between their approach and Serie A football.
“Dealing with clubs like a business is this Americanisation that does not respect any values of Italian football and it is something I have never liked.
“I am not just saying that because Roma lost 5-1 to Fiorentina today. Roma are a great club and ought to be respected.”
Of course, Boban was involved in a legal battle with former Milan owners Elliott Management – also American – when they approached Ralf Rangnick behind the backs of directors Boban and Paolo Maldini.
He was fired for revealing this in an interview and sued the club.