When a sporting director and manager publicly go back and forth about the lack of transfer activity ahead of the season, it’s usually a bad omen.
AS Roma coach Jose Mourinho decided to air his grievances with sporting director Tiago Pinto in press conferences last summer, throwing subliminal jabs at his compatriot. Pinto fired back.
Roma fans knew they were in for one hell of a ride during the 2023/24 campaign, with an irritable Mourinho constantly moaning.
The Portuguese manager was heading into his third season with the Giallorossi, and they were well-informed about the ‘third-season curse’ that has trailed his career. They got to witness the unravelling first-hand.
Roma failed to win their first three games of the campaign. The signs were ominous. The Giallorossi were inconsistent in the early parts.
When they secured a big win with their 7-0 thrashing of Empoli, a 1-1 draw with Torino and a 4-1 mullering at the hands of Genoa followed.
The inconsistent results and struggles continued into January, but a 1-0 loss in the Coppa Italia against arch-rivals Lazio was the tipping point.
The Roma hierarchy decided they’d had enough of Mourinho, who brought the club its first trophy in 14 years, ending their 61-year wait for another European title.
Pinto dismissed Mourinho after two and a half years. He left the Romans in ninth place on the Serie A table.
In came club legend Danielle De Rossi, and the Italian steadied a fast-sinking ship.
Upon his arrival, Roma secured eight wins from ten games in the league (D1, L1), jumping to fifth on the league log. They also knocked out Serie A rivals AC Milan in the quarter-final of the Europa League.
Chairman Dan Friedkin had seen enough and handed their legendary midfielder the permanent job.
Roma lost the semi-final of the Europa League to Bayer Leverkusen but booked their place at the tournament next season with a sixth-place finish.
The club will hope for a calmer and more stable campaign under their new manager. Ahead of the 2024/25 season, we look at what is in store for the Giallorossi.
Match-going fans can purchase Roma tickets from seatsnet.com to experience the passion and drama of Serie A football live and cheer their team to victory during the 2024/25 campaign.
Roma 2024/25 season preview
Capitan Futuro’s appointment as manager was a romantic choice that paid off. De Rossi made 616 senior appearances for his boyhood club following his debut in 2001 under Fabio Capello.
The World Cup winner brings an intimate knowledge of the club and its fanbase and an infectious passion. He immediately lifted the dour and increasingly toxic atmosphere Mourinho had created.
The early signs are promising for De Rossi, with the team showing glimpses of attacking flair and a renewed sense of identity.
His team adeptly balanced attacking intent with defensive solidity as their manager did as a first-team player for 18 storied years.
De Rossi had a better start than many would have imagined. He has won 14 of his 26 matches in charge of Roma (D6, L6), claiming scalps against Milan and Lazio.
Now, the 41-year-old has a full pre-season to imprint his ideas on the squad.
Roma lost steam towards the end of the campaign (one win in their final seven), and Italy’s fourth most capped player must prepare his side for the brutal run-in, especially if they want to challenge on multiple fronts.
They also struggled to keep clean sheets in those latter ties, and the manager will be working on strengthening his defence.
Defensive drills are hard to implement mid-season, and the manager will use this period to thoroughly coarse the backline into a formidable unit.
Roma have shown flashes of brilliance, but consistency has been an issue in recent seasons.
Strengthening the squad’s depth will be essential if they are to challenge for a top-four finish and make a deep run in the Europa League.
The club’s transfer strategy will be pivotal. The addition of Enzo Le Fee from Rennes is a promising start, but more reinforcements are likely to be needed.
A quieter summer transfer window
The fractured relationship between Pinto and Mourinho marred last summer. However, Friedkin sacked Pinto a month after Mourinho left, and now the club can operate with some peace.
New sporting director Florent Ghisolfi comes highly touted from France and has been quick in the transfer market. Le Fee immediately replaced Houssem Aouar, who moved to the Saudi Pro League after his underwhelming spell in Italy.
Left-back Angelino and goalkeeper Matt Ryan have arrived to bolster the squad depth ahead of next season, but there are still crucial gaps to plug.
Roma took striker Romelu Lukaku on a season-long loan from Chelsea, and he bagged 21 goals in 46 appearances despite many criticising his inauspicious performances in big games.
The Giallorossi cannot afford to trigger his £35 million release clause, so he returns to Chelsea, and Roma must enter the market for another option.
The Romans have been linked with several names, including Artem Dovbyk, Terem Moffi, Alexander Sorloth, Arnaud Kalimuendo, Jonathan David, Simon Banza, and Santiago Gimenez.
Ghisolfi and De Rossi must quickly identify a target and swoop for him, with the market for top strikers looking very shoddy. The manager and sporting director must find the best fit.
Roma are also in talks to sign Juventus winger Matias Soule following his exciting loan campaign with Frosinone.
Soule notched 11 goals and three assists (eight big chances created) in 36 league appearances last season. However, they face competition from West Ham United and Leicester City for his signature.
A deal for Rennes right-back Lorenz Assignon is in the works, but they still need a few additions in midfield and attack before they can call it a day.
Aims for 2024/25
Roma fans are optimistic about the future under De Rossi. The club’s ambition is clear – secure a Champions League spot and build a sustainable project.
Roma fans and the club’s hierarchy will primarily be seeking consistent performances. The team has shown glimpses of brilliance but has struggled for sustained success.
Securing a Champions League spot by finishing in the top four of Serie A is undoubtedly the primary goal.
Building upon last season’s impressive run to the Europa League semi-finals, the club will aim to go one step further and reach the final or even clinch the title. The same applies to the Coppa Italia.
While expectations are high, it’s crucial to remember that rebuilding a successful team takes time. Rome was not built in a day – neither will Roma’s resurgence.
Measuring success in terms of progress rather than immediate trophies might be a more realistic approach next season.
