“Roma’s Heartbreak: Mismanagement and the Fall of a Footballing Legacy”
Roma fans deserve more. Anyone familiar with world football, particularly Serie A, knows the unwavering passion of Roma supporters and can sympathize with them – unless they are Lazio fans – because the Giallorossi seem to endure one heartbreak after another.
It once looked like something special was being built under José Mourinho, who reignited excitement in a Roma side that had suffered through years of mediocrity after briefly competing with Europe’s elite, powered by legends like Mohamed Salah and Edin Dzeko.
Mourinho brought belief back to Roma, winning the Conference League title and coming – painfully – close to winning the Europa League the following season.
However, in the summer of 2023, Roma’s ownership failed to meet Mourinho’s demands to strengthen the squad, signaling trouble ahead if changes weren’t made.
They didn’t act, sticking with Rui Patricio, one of the worst goalkeepers in European football, and a patched-together squad that faltered until Mourinho was scapegoated and sacked by those truly responsible for the club’s issues.
Club legend Daniele de Rossi took over and initially turned things around, leading Roma to a sixth-place finish. Though not on Mourinho’s level, de Rossi showed the potential to develop into a great coach.
But if de Rossi becomes a top manager, it won’t be in Rome. After just four games, the Friedkin family fired the beloved figure, abandoning the manager they had hired to replace one of football’s greatest.
This is a disgrace. Roma sit only four points off sixth place, last season’s finish, with a newly-formed attack that needs time to gel. Yet, de Rossi is dismissed by ownership that seems to have no understanding of patience or long-term success.
Roma fans, you deserve better than an ownership that acts like children throwing tantrums, while the city, supporters, players, and staff work hard to build something meaningful.
Let’s hope the owners didn’t curse the club by cruelly dismissing José, a figure beloved by the entire city.