Italian club, Roma, are having a nightmare season. For several seasons now, chaos has ruled at Roma. Constant changes in coaches, harsh criticism from the fans and questionable market strategies are the main sources. Their success under former player and then-manager, Daniele De Rossi, seems like a distant memory now. They currently find themselves 12th in the Serie A table. Now, they find themselves hiring their third manager and it's no way near the halfway point of the season.
In addition, there was the resignation of the club’s CEO, Greek, Lina Souloukou, the latest casualty in a mess that’s put owners, Dan and Ryan Friedkin, in the spotlight.
Coming into the new season, De Rossi was coming off a high. After taking over the sacked Jose Mourinho, he led his former club to the Europa League semi-final. The Roma board were so impressed by the performances that they extended De Rossi's contract. However, his stay wouldn't be long. After going winless in the first four games, he was sacked. This created an uproar from Roma fans.
Three days later, Greek, Lina Souloukou, resigned as CEO of Roma. Upon the resignation, a club statement read, "Roma announces the resignation of CEO Lina Souloukou. We thank Lina for her dedication during such a critical time for the Club and wish her all the best in her future endeavors."
Most of the Giallorossi fans put the blame of De Rossi's sacking on the former CEO. Reports in Italy stated that the now-former CEO had been placed under "protective measures" due to the tensions and threats she received the day of the legendary Roma player's dismissal.
The whole crisis began way back when in 2020. It started with the owners. The Friedkin family, with Dan and Ryan as the public faces, though it’s Dan, a film producer, who is listed as the owner and president since purchasing the club in 2020 for around €600 million.
Since then, nearly €1 billion has been invested with the goal of regularly returning Roma to the Champions League and building a long-term elite project. However, that goal hasn’t been met. The last time they made it to the Champions League was in the 2018-19 season.
Aside from a Conference League title under Mourinho and a Europa League final - also under Mourinho - that was lost to Sevilla; there’s been little relief from Roma’s poor performance in Serie A. They came close to returning to the Champions League but fell short.
Almost €1 billion has resulted in a seventh-place finish and three consecutive sixth-place finishes. A huge investment that will need to be even bigger in the coming years is needed if Roma want to have its own stadium.
After the arrival of Mark Sartori as the new "Director of Performance," the Giallorossi have chosen Tim Coates as the club’s new psychologist. This is a further addition that will further strengthen the sporting aspect of the club, pending a reorganisation also with regards to the highest positions; with the Friedkins continuing the casting for Lina Souloukou’s replacement.
The new CEO, a position that has been vacant since the end of September, should be announced by the end of the year and the option is apparently being given to a figure who knows the dynamics of Italian football.
Ivan Juric took the reigns after De Rossi got the sack. There were no good fortunes for Roma unnder Juric. He was often criticised for his managerial style of play and poor results. As a result, he got sacked this past Sunday.
It was announced today (14 November) that Claudio Ranieri will take charge for the rest of the season. He will come out of retirement as a result. This will be his third stint as manager of Roma. He previously guided the Giallorossi from 2009-11 and in 2019. He also began his playing career with Roma.
A club statement read, "At the conclusion of the season, Claudio will transition into a senior executive role, where he will be an adviser to the ownership on all sporting matters at the club. The search for a future coach will proceed over the next months. Claudio will have input in that decision as well."
Ranieri helped Cagliari avoid relegation last season and had said that would be his final club job but he apparently couldn’t turn down Roma. Ranieri is best known for leading Leicester to the English Premier League title in 2016.
It's hard to follow the exact way the club is being run. I'm firmly with the Roma fans. I think it's unfair to sack a manager after four games. De Rossi deserved more, especially with the kind of form he displayed during the latter stages of last season.
To me, Ranieri is one season wonder manager. He had one good season and then he's sought after as a result. I believe he'll only achieve the success of not being relegated and that's it. I can't foresee a league title win and/or a Coppa Italia (Cup competition) title win.
All the best for Roma and their fans!