De Rossi gives first Genoa press conference: ‘Destiny has brought me here’

Daniele De Rossi says that a combination of ‘destiny’ and the right senior management team led to his decision to join Genoa as head coach, has pointed out what needs to be fixed at the Marassi and has explained why his role as owner of Ostiamare has helped him become a better coach. 

The legendary former Roma midfielder was appointed as head coach of Genoa earlier this week, and conducted his introductory press conference on Friday. 

De Rossi will serve as head coach on an initial short-term contract until the end of the 2025-26 season with an option to extend if he and the team avoid relegation to Serie B by the end of the season. 

“Destiny has brought me here,” De Rossi told reporters at the beginning of his introductory press conference on Friday. 

“Sometimes there are opportunities you can’t miss. I’ve had contact with other teams over the last few weeks and months. For months, I’d turned them away. Then, in January, Roma came in. I’ve had other approaches, chats, but nothing came of it. 

“Now there’s Genoa, which is a great team. It’s a great honour to be here. I don’t tell lies. I’m honoured, as well as excited and fired-up. I believe that this is a role that should be treated with honour and respect.” 

De Rossi was asked about the immediate challenges that he faces after his Genoa appointment. The team currently sit in the relegation zone in 18th place on six points after 10 matches of the Serie A season. They had not won a league fixture under previous head coach Patrick Vieira. 

“You have to be aware of where you are,” De Rossi said. “You have to buy into the team’s DNA, and Genoa has DNA to spare. 

“I will adapt my ideas to the materials that we have here. I’m happy with the team, but not with the time I have to prepare for the first game. I’m in a hurry to gain points.” 

He feels that Fiorentina, who are currently in last place in Serie A, and have also changed head coaches this week, is one of the toughest possible fixtures to start his Genoa career. 

“If there was one team I would have chosen to avoid, it would be Fiorentina. They have players who can get you through even if it’s not been a positive period. But we’re strong as well. The stadium will be full and the boys are in great shape. It will be a Genoa that will give us hope for the future.” 

De Rossi did not want to go into detail about the mistakes that his predecessor Vieira made, but pointed to one area to improve when asked what has gone wrong for Genoa so far this season. 

“It’s difficult for me to talk about it because that would be a matter of evaluating the work of one of my colleagues. But, if the results had arrived, I would still be sitting on the sofa. 

“The biggest mistake that we can make is giving 100 new instructions in three days in an attempt to solve the biggest issues. But looking back at games, there has been no team that has crushed Genoa. I also think that set-pieces hindered the team.” 

De Rossi was asked what he makes of the support that he has been shown from his two former clubs Roma and Boca Juniors over the last few days. 

“I don’t always expect it, but it’s amazing,” he replied. “I’m focused on the love of another fanbase now. Roma is the story of a lifetime. Boca is also very important.” 

And, on Sunday’s opponents, Fiorentina, De Rossi said: “These are similar situations. They’ve had less rest. From a mental point of view, it’s easier to prepare after two defeats than it is after a victory. A resounding defeat sounds the alarm bells. That said, it is better to have a few more points under your belt. 

“They will do as I have done over the last few days, trying to prepare tactically without upsetting everything else.” 

And how has his involvement with Serie D side Ostiamare helped De Rossi improve as a head coach? 

“I’m still a director. From day one, the understanding was that if I found a new team, I would be less present. The people that are there are all people that I have chosen. That role is important because I’ve begun to understand what goes through the minds of Presidents and directors. Being behind the desk lets you see how the world works on the other side.” 

And lastly, why did De Rossi decide that Genoa would be a perfect fit? 

“The directors first of all. After (my experience with) SPAL, the great Galliani told us students at Coverciano that we shouldn’t pick a team based on the fanbase, it should be about the directors. Here, I have directors with whom I get along well. I felt that closeness immediately, and I felt that we could start a relationship based on respect for each others’ roles.”