De Rossi Eyes Future Role As Roma Manager

AS Roma great Daniele De Rossi has set for himself the target of becoming manager of the Giallorossi one day.

De Rossi Eyes Future Role As Roma Manager

The 36-year-old, who departed Roma at the end of the 2018/2019 season, recently brought the curtain down on an illustrious career after spending the final few months turning out for Boca Juniors in Argentina.

De Rossi made 616 appearances for AS Roma after making his debut in 2001, scoring 63 goals and winning two Copa Italia trophies for the side.

Only Francesco Totti, who made 786 appearances for Roma, has played more times for the Serie A club than De Rossi.

"I followed a path that is not unique but is rare. Playing 20 years for one team doesn't happen every day. That can't happen if I become a coach, especially at Roma," De Rossi told Sky Sport Italia.

"One day I would like to coach Roma, but first I have to become a coach.

"As well as the courses, there is a development path that all young coaches need. In a few days I went from being an old footballer to a young coach, so I start by seeing things with tranquillity and calm.

"I am not in a hurry to make it happen tomorrow: it could happen in five, 10 or 20 years.

"But it will happen only because I will have become good, not because I was an important player for this team. I have always been recognised as a leader, so maybe I will take advantage of this, but the coach is much more than this."

"I will go to see a thousand coaches, because I need it," he added.

"A child on his feet cannot see how an elderly man is sitting. I am a child right now.

"They will be professional trips but also fun because I really like this world."

At the age of 22, De Rossi was the youngest member of Italy’s FIFA World Cup winning squad at Germany in 2006.