As a substitute, no one has done better than Daniele, who in this special ranking is above legends like Capello, Mourinho, and Spalletti.
Isn’t it a bit early to call him a coach? Asked Costacurta’s: no is the answer. Daniele De Rossi has already achieved a remarkable record since taking his seat on the Roma bench. With 16 points out of 18 in 6 league matches, he ranks second among the most successful debutant coaches in Roma’s history. He’s first if we consider those who took over mid-season. Since 1927, only Rudi Garcia had earned more points in his debut. Of course, we’re referring to the record-breaking season, the one with 10 consecutive initial victories, which was a national record at the time. Apart from the Frenchman, however, no one has surpassed De Rossi.
Di Francesco would have been at his level, but in 2017, rain forced the suspension of the Roma-Sampdoria match, valid for the third round of the league. In the rescheduled match, Roma drew 1-1, so (according to records) they earned 14 points. Two less than De Rossi, but two more than Zeman and Mourinho, who immediately follow with 12 points earned in their first six games with Roma.
Capello earned 11 in 1999-2000, as did Fonseca, Luis Enrique, Ranieri, and Montella. The latter two, like De Rossi, took over mid-season. Spalletti lagged behind with 8 points, while Liedholm was even further back with 6 (in the years when a win was worth 2 points though).
Daniele’s hope now is to increase the points average against Monza to reaffirm to skeptics that yes, he is a coach. He has studied extensively over the years, leaves nothing to chance, and now sees contract renewal as a closer possibility.
Points Table in the Era of Three Points:
- Garcia: 18 points
- De Rossi: 16 points
- Di Francesco: 14 points
- Mourinho: 12 points
- Zeman: 12 points
- Capello: 11 points
- Fonseca: 11 points
- Ranieri: 11 points
- Montella: 11 points
- Luis Enrique: 11 points
- Carlos Bianchi: 10 points
- Delneri: 9 points
- Voeller: 8 points
- Sella: 5 points
