Roma CEO Guido Fienga has confessed that the club only informed Daniele De Rossi yesterday of their decision not to renew his contract.
Fienga appeared alongside De Rossi at a Press conference on Tuesday to explain the motives behind the midfielder’s exit, with President James Pallotta and Vice-President Mauro Baldissoni conspicuous by their absences.
Roma CEO Guido Fienga has confessed that the club only informed Daniele De Rossi yesterday of their decision not to renew his contract.
Fienga appeared alongside De Rossi at a Press conference on Tuesday to explain the motives behind the midfielder’s exit, with President James Pallotta and Vice-President Mauro Baldissoni conspicuous by their absences.
“We’ve called this Press conference to tell you that yesterday, I met Daniele to tell him the club’s decision not to renew his contract as a player,” began the executive, in his first major public outing.
“We talked for a long time and I expressed my willingness to keep him at the club, in a role to be decided.
“Almost selfishly, I hoped and still do that Daniele would accept the idea of staying on in a role next to mine.
“Right now I’d like to work alongside someone like him. The club realised they had to change and correct the choices made in the recent past to start afresh.
“I’m convinced that Daniele will take the opportunity when he deems it appropriate: for him the offer will always be there.
“Daniele expressed other ideas, which we respect, just as he respects ours. I’m honoured by the open, transparent and fair meeting that took place.
“Speaking on behalf of the club, I apologised to him that talks did not take place sooner.
“There were some off-field issues and we had several problems. All of this is a culmination of what’s happened this season.
“The club are aware of the mistakes they’ve made. There's a lot of self-criticism going on right now.
“I explained to Daniele that the club could no longer consider him as a footballer, but we consider him ready to help us develop the club.
“He’s been acting like a director for a long time. He doesn’t want to say it and he wants to keep playing football, but he’s ready to take on many responsibilities.
“That’s why I invited him to take the director route. He can help me and maybe replace me tomorrow.
“These moves are taken after considerations that the club make. Besides our appreciation for what he did, which go without saying, there’s also the maturity and support he’s given us.
“We appreciate how Daniele responded to our offer, but he’s shown that he has the maturity to be a director.
“When he decides to help develop the team he knows best, we’re convinced that he’ll help us.
“There is no distance between us and Daniele. The invitation we put to him doesn’t show detachment or a lack of esteem towards him.
“We have a different idea about the help Daniele can give this club, but no-one wants to send him away.
“There have never been any problems in a financial regard.”