Daniele De Rossi backs Alberto Aquilani after Sassuolo dismissal
Daniele De Rossi has offered a public show of support for Alberto Aquilani following the coach’s departure from Sassuolo, describing his former teammate as one of the most gifted figures in Italian football’s new generation of managers. De Rossi said the decision was disappointing, but stressed that he expects Aquilani to enjoy considerable success in the years ahead.
The Genoa manager spoke about his friend while attending the presentation of “Radici,” a series focused on Ostiamare. The programme is scheduled to air on Sky and NOW from 19 November. Although the event centred on the club and its story, questions about Aquilani’s dismissal gave De Rossi an opportunity to reflect on their friendship and shared journey from the pitch into management.
De Rossi: Aquilani has a bright future in football
As reported by Corriere dello Sport, De Rossi was careful not to speculate about the circumstances behind Sassuolo’s decision. He acknowledged that he did not have enough information to comment on the club’s reasoning, but revealed that he and Aquilani had spoken at length after the news emerged.
“I can’t speak about things I don’t know,” De Rossi said. He added that he had spoken with Aquilani late into the night and regretted both the dismissal itself and its timing, which came shortly before the pair were due to meet. Their planned encounter will have to wait, but De Rossi suggested that there will be other opportunities to catch up.
More importantly, De Rossi offered an emphatic prediction about Aquilani’s future. He said his friend’s career path remained clear and described him as one of the most talented and best coaches among Italy’s emerging managerial generation. In De Rossi’s view, Aquilani will have plenty of success, even if this latest setback has interrupted his progress.
A difficult moment, not a verdict on a coaching career
A managerial dismissal can quickly become a defining headline, particularly when it arrives early in a coach’s career. Yet one departure does not necessarily provide a complete measure of a manager’s ability. Football clubs make decisions within specific circumstances, and results are only one part of a wider picture that can include expectations, squad construction, injuries, finances and the pressure to achieve immediate improvement.
De Rossi did not offer details about Sassuolo’s decision, and his comments should not be read as an assessment of the club’s internal situation. Instead, his message focused on the person behind the news. His support reflects a belief that Aquilani’s qualities as a coach remain intact, regardless of the circumstances surrounding this particular appointment.
That distinction matters in modern football, where coaching careers can move quickly. A manager may leave one club and return to the touchline elsewhere after gaining experience, refining ideas and finding a project better suited to his approach. For Aquilani, the next step will be an opportunity to assess what comes next and continue building a reputation shaped by more than a single spell in charge.
From teammates to rival managers
De Rossi and Aquilani share a history as players, and their transition into management gives their relationship a new dimension. Both have experienced the demands of elite football from inside the dressing room; now they must navigate the different pressures faced by coaches, including tactical preparation, squad management and the scrutiny that follows every result.
Their careers could still bring them together in the dugout. De Rossi joked that he expects to manage in Serie A for years, while expressing confidence that Aquilani will also return to the highest level. That possibility adds a personal edge to any future meeting: two former teammates could eventually face one another as opposing managers, each pursuing points for his own club.
For supporters, such stories offer a reminder that football is not only about match results. The sport is also shaped by long-standing friendships, professional respect and the shared experiences that continue after players retire. De Rossi’s comments were warm, but they also carried a clear professional message: he believes Aquilani belongs among the coaches capable of making a lasting impact.
“Radici” puts the focus on Ostiamare
The remarks came at the launch of “Radici,” a series about Ostiamare, the club whose story is at the centre of the production. Its title, meaning “Roots,” points towards themes of identity, community and the connections that bind a club to its surroundings. The series will be available on Sky and NOW from 19 November, bringing Ostiamare’s story to a wider audience.
That setting made De Rossi’s comments about Aquilani especially fitting. Both the series and the discussion around the coaches touch on the importance of personal history in football: where people come from, the relationships they build and the experiences that shape their next chapter. While “Radici” looks back at a club’s foundations, Aquilani now faces the task of deciding where to establish his own next coaching project.
What happens next for Aquilani?
For now, the immediate question is how Aquilani responds to the end of his Sassuolo spell. His next move may not be known immediately, and there is no guarantee that a return to management will come at once. However, De Rossi’s public prediction offers a strong endorsement from someone who knows him both personally and professionally.
The broader lesson is that a coaching setback can become a turning point rather than a conclusion. Aquilani’s future will depend on the opportunities available and the work he does to prepare for them, but De Rossi believes the talent is there. As Italian football continues to make room for a new generation of managers, Aquilani remains a name to watch—and a future meeting with De Rossi could yet provide another compelling chapter in their shared story.
