Roma fans loved Mourinho, they can love me too – De Rossi،
New AS Roma coach Daniele De Rossi has acknowledged the club's supporters' “love” for Jose Mourinho, adding that he had been in contact with the sacked Portuguese coach on Tuesday.
Asked about fans' dissatisfaction with the decision to fire Mourinho during his first press conference, De Rossi said: “No one is more capable of loving two people than Roma fans.
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“No one can take away the love they had for Mourinho, but that doesn't stop them from loving me too.”
De Rossi, who spent 18 years at the club and made 616 appearances, also said he recognized his hiring by Roma's American owners Friedkins was partly aimed at easing fan discontent at the initial sacking.
“I'm not stupid, but I think saying I was hired for appeasement is a bad way to frame the decision.
“I think when owners make the decision to replace such an important and beloved coach, they have to take into account many factors.
I'm not saying I'm absolutely the right choice, but if I close my eyes and imagine the other available coaches sitting here today, I think the fan reaction could have been even more devastating in the short term with regards to the team.”
De Rossi added that he had been texting Mourinho since he took charge and that the two-time Champions League winner was one of the first people to text him when he got his first managerial role at SPAL in 2022.
This spell in Serie B was short-lived as results did not go the former Italy international's way, winning three and losing eight of his 17 games in charge. The 40-year-old said he knew he was not hired at Roma based on results.
“It's obvious they didn't choose me because they were struck by SPAL's results and performances,” De Rossi said.
Roma are ninth in Serie A, five points behind Fiorentina for the final Champions League spot – De Rossi's goal in his interim role.
“I will be happy if at the end of the season we are in the top four. That is the goal to achieve. It will not be easy to achieve, but it is certainly possible.”
De Rossi added that the only contract stipulation he requested during negotiations with the Friedkins was for a bonus if the Giallorossi qualify for the Champions League.
De Rossi takes charge for the first time against Verona on Saturday.
