Daniele De Rossi said Friday that he
will give everything he has and then some to keep his job as AS
Roma coach after being called in following Jose Mourinho's
dismissal this week.
"(Owners) Dan and Ryan Friedkin were very clear about the length
of the contract and the nature of my stay," the former Italy
midfielder and club legend, who has been given the job until the
end of the season, told a news conference ahead of his first
game in charge at home against third-from-bottom Hellas Verona
on Saturday.
"There are no options or renewal (clauses). There's nothing.
"I just asked to be treated like a coach, not like a legend or
former flag-bearer, and they agreed.
"Then I said I would try till death to stay. I think they were
satisfied with this.
"I want to earn a renewal (with results) on the field".
When asked about his predecessor, whose dismissal has angered
many Roma fans, De Rossi replied "no one is taking away the love
they felt for Mourinho".
He then added "but nothing stops them loving me too, continuing
the trail of love at the stadium".
Roma are ninth in Serie A with 29 points from 20 games, 22
points behind leaders Inter.
However, they are only five points shy of the top four, which is
good for a place in the Champions League.
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