Claudio Ranieri: Roma return for Italian will provide steady pair of hands
The decision to hire Juric in the first place only highlighted the lack of a clear sporting strategy.
When the Friedkins arrived, their decision to hire Jose Mourinho as manager won them plaudits. Mourinho is a proven winner and someone who can attract global attention and will satisfy business and sporting demands.
The Stadio Olimpico sold out 43 consecutive games as fans fell in love with the Portuguese who led the team to consecutive European finals.
However, Roma failed to prepare for what would come after Mourinho. Fans were furious when he was sacked and the decision Handing the Power to Daniel de Rossi This seems like a way to appease supporters rather than serve the long-term vision.
The former captain knew the club and the culture, but had a different style of play and little experience. The decision to extend the contract ahead of the summer raised some eyebrows.
Friedkins invested more than €100m (£83m) on summer transfers in an attempt to support De Rossi’s tactical vision and team requirements.
Firing him just four weeks into the season remains a hasty and confusing decision, but then entrusting the roster to Juric, a man with a completely different playing philosophy, underscores the lack of forward planning.
Jurich predictably failed. Not only did he fail to communicate his thoughts, but the players clearly felt sad, unhappy or ignored.
Think in particular of German centre-back Mats Hummels, who joined Roma on a free transfer in the summer.
He spoke of watching Francesco Totti and De Rossi growing up, and the excitement of training under the latter’s tutelage – only to watch from the sidelines as Juric ignored him, opting to play in midfield at the back rather than in midfield Champions League finalist.
“We believe in stability and culture,” Dan Friedkin said in his first official interview four years ago.
“It’s important for our existing business and it’s vital for the football community. We work hard to find and, more importantly, support strong management.”
The problem with Rome was that no one quite understood who was calling the shots.
The club remains without a chief executive following the resignation of Lina Souloukou, and Frenchman Gisolfi – the man who stood up to calm fans’ anger and admit mistakes – appears to have no power to make decisions, This has left Italian media debating how long he will continue in his role.
It doesn’t help that he speaks only French at a club obsessed with its history and tradition.
