In a shocking turn of events that has sent shockwaves through the Italian soccer world, Serie A giants AS Roma have sacked head coach Ivan Juric after a mere 12 matches in charge. The 51-year-old Croatian tactician becomes the second managerial casualty at the Stadio Olimpico this season, following the dismissal of club legend Daniele De Rossi back in January.
The writing was on the wall for Juric after Roma suffered a humiliating 3-2 home defeat to Bologna on Sunday, their fourth loss in the last five league outings. The result leaves the Giallorossi languishing in 12th place in the Serie A standings, a far cry from the lofty heights expected of a club with Roma’s pedigree and resources.
A Season of Turmoil in the Eternal City
Roma’s campaign has been marked by instability and inconsistency both on and off the pitch. The club began the season under the stewardship of Jose Mourinho, but the controversial Portuguese manager was given his marching orders in December following a string of poor results and high-profile fallouts with players and club hierarchy alike.
De Rossi, a beloved figure among the Roma faithful after nearly two decades of loyal service as a player, was handed the reins on an interim basis. However, despite an initial uptick in form, the rookie coach struggled to impose his authority on a fractious dressing room and was relieved of his duties less than a month into his tenure.
Enter Ivan Juric, fresh off a successful three-year stint at Torino where he earned plaudits for his high-intensity, man-marking tactical approach. Roma’s hierarchy hoped that the Croatian’s no-nonsense style would be the perfect tonic for a squad that had grown complacent and underperforming.
Juric’s Ill-Fated Reign
Juric’s tenure began brightly enough, with consecutive home wins over Udinese and Venezia in the league, sandwiched by a creditable 1-1 draw away to Athletic Club in the Europa League. However, it quickly became apparent that the Croatian’s demands for relentless intensity and rigid positional play did not sit well with a Roma squad more accustomed to a fluid, possession-based approach.
A run of just one win in six Serie A matches, culminating in the Bologna debacle, sealed Juric’s fate. In a terse statement released on Sunday evening, Roma’s hierarchy “thanked Ivan Juric for his hard work these past weeks” and confirmed that the “search for a new head coach has already begun.”
“We would like to thank Ivan Juric for his hard work these past weeks. He handled a difficult environment with the utmost professionalism, and for that we are grateful. The search for a new head coach has already begun and an announcement will be made in the coming days.”
– Official AS Roma club statement
Mancini Waiting in the Wings?
Speculation is rife as to who will be tasked with steadying the ship at the Stadio Olimpico. According to reports in the Italian media, former Italy national team boss Roberto Mancini has already entered talks with Roma’s owners, The Friedkin Group, about taking over the role.
Mancini, who guided the Azzurri to Euro 2016 glory, has been out of work since resigning from the Italy post in the wake of the nation’s shock failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. The 57-year-old is said to be keen on a return to club management and sees Roma as the perfect opportunity to restore his reputation.
Other names in the frame include former Juventus and Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri, and current Lazio boss Simone Inzaghi. However, sources close to the club suggest that Mancini is the clear frontrunner and that a deal could be announced as early as next week.
A Daunting Task Ahead
Whoever takes over the Roma hot seat will have their work cut out to turn around a season that is quickly unraveling. The Giallorossi face a daunting run of fixtures after the international break, with trips to league leaders Napoli and Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League on the horizon, before a home clash with high-flying Atalanta.
Complicating matters further is the absence of talismanic forward Paulo Dybala, who is set to be sidelined for several weeks with a muscle strain suffered in the loss to Bologna. The Argentine has been Roma’s standout performer this season, and his creativity and goal threat will be sorely missed in the coming matches.
Roma’s new coach will also need to quell the growing sense of unrest among a fanbase that is rapidly losing patience with the club’s American owners. The Friedkin Group, who took control of Roma in 2020, have come under fire for their perceived lack of investment in the playing squad and a series of baffling managerial appointments.
“Roma fans are some of the most passionate and demanding in world football. They expect success and they expect it now. Whoever comes in needs to hit the ground running and start delivering results immediately. There can be no honeymoon period.”
– Italian soccer journalist Mario Sconcerti
For now, Roma must regroup and refocus ahead of a season-defining run of matches. With just 13 points from their opening 12 Serie A games, the Giallorossi find themselves closer to the relegation zone than the Champions League places. It is a scenario that would have been unthinkable just a few short months ago, but such is the nature of the managerial merry-go-round in modern football.
As the old saying goes, “when it rains, it pours”, and right now, it is positively bucketing down on the red and yellow half of Rome. But as any fan of this storied club will tell you, Roma have endured far worse storms than this and have always managed to come out the other side. The question is, who will be the one to guide them to calmer waters?
A run of just one win in six Serie A matches, culminating in the Bologna debacle, sealed Juric’s fate. In a terse statement released on Sunday evening, Roma’s hierarchy “thanked Ivan Juric for his hard work these past weeks” and confirmed that the “search for a new head coach has already begun.”
“We would like to thank Ivan Juric for his hard work these past weeks. He handled a difficult environment with the utmost professionalism, and for that we are grateful. The search for a new head coach has already begun and an announcement will be made in the coming days.”
– Official AS Roma club statement
Mancini Waiting in the Wings?
Speculation is rife as to who will be tasked with steadying the ship at the Stadio Olimpico. According to reports in the Italian media, former Italy national team boss Roberto Mancini has already entered talks with Roma’s owners, The Friedkin Group, about taking over the role.
Mancini, who guided the Azzurri to Euro 2016 glory, has been out of work since resigning from the Italy post in the wake of the nation’s shock failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. The 57-year-old is said to be keen on a return to club management and sees Roma as the perfect opportunity to restore his reputation.
Other names in the frame include former Juventus and Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri, and current Lazio boss Simone Inzaghi. However, sources close to the club suggest that Mancini is the clear frontrunner and that a deal could be announced as early as next week.
A Daunting Task Ahead
Whoever takes over the Roma hot seat will have their work cut out to turn around a season that is quickly unraveling. The Giallorossi face a daunting run of fixtures after the international break, with trips to league leaders Napoli and Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League on the horizon, before a home clash with high-flying Atalanta.
Complicating matters further is the absence of talismanic forward Paulo Dybala, who is set to be sidelined for several weeks with a muscle strain suffered in the loss to Bologna. The Argentine has been Roma’s standout performer this season, and his creativity and goal threat will be sorely missed in the coming matches.
Roma’s new coach will also need to quell the growing sense of unrest among a fanbase that is rapidly losing patience with the club’s American owners. The Friedkin Group, who took control of Roma in 2020, have come under fire for their perceived lack of investment in the playing squad and a series of baffling managerial appointments.
“Roma fans are some of the most passionate and demanding in world football. They expect success and they expect it now. Whoever comes in needs to hit the ground running and start delivering results immediately. There can be no honeymoon period.”
– Italian soccer journalist Mario Sconcerti
For now, Roma must regroup and refocus ahead of a season-defining run of matches. With just 13 points from their opening 12 Serie A games, the Giallorossi find themselves closer to the relegation zone than the Champions League places. It is a scenario that would have been unthinkable just a few short months ago, but such is the nature of the managerial merry-go-round in modern football.
As the old saying goes, “when it rains, it pours”, and right now, it is positively bucketing down on the red and yellow half of Rome. But as any fan of this storied club will tell you, Roma have endured far worse storms than this and have always managed to come out the other side. The question is, who will be the one to guide them to calmer waters?
