Roma’s looked to Xavi before opting for Ivan Juric

In the wake of Daniele De Rossi’s departure from Roma, the club’s search for a new manager took some unexpected turns. While names like Stefano Pioli and Francesco Farioli were already in the mix, it has now come to light that Roma made a bold attempt to secure the services of former Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez.

Corriere dello Sport report that the Spanish tactician, who had recently concluded his tenure at Camp Nou, was approached by Roma’s management in a surprising move. However, despite the allure of taking charge at the Stadio Olimpico, Xavi politely declined the offer.

This revelation adds a new dimension to Roma’s managerial search, highlighting the club’s ambition and willingness to pursue high-profile candidates. The rejection from Xavi ultimately led Roma to intensify their efforts elsewhere, culminating in the appointment of Ivan Juric.

Juric’s tenure at Roma has gotten off to a positive start, with the team securing an important victory against Udinese in his debut match. This early success suggests that despite the initial setback in their pursuit of Xavi, Roma may have found a suitable leader to guide the team forward.