Is Daniele De Rossi The Correct Choice To Save Genoa? His Managerial Stats Suggest It’s A Calculated Risk

Daniele De Rossi is close to becoming the new Genoa head coach but can the Serie A legend save the Grifone? 

According to Fabrizio Romano, the 2006 Azzurri World Cup winner is meeting with the club’s board on November 5 to finalize terms.

De Rossi would replace former manager Patrick Vieira. The Frenchman successfully avoided relegation last season but failed to win any of his nine league games in charge this year.

🚨❤️💙 Genoa are closing in on the appointment of Daniele De Rossi as new head coach.

Former AS Roma manager will meet Genoa board today in Milano to fix the agreement. pic.twitter.com/zxSYAw1hy2

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 5, 2025

Will Daniele De Rossi Replace Patrick Vieira At Genoa?

As it stands, Daniele De Rossi is poised to become the new Genoa head coach. De Rossi has impressed the club’s board of directors and is the firm favorite to land the role.

He will become the Grifone’s third full-time manager since the start of last season. Alberto Gilardino was in the dugout at the beginning of 2024-25 before being replaced by Patrick Vieira in November.

The Frenchman’s one-year tenure came to an end at the start of the month. Now, it appears De Rossi will be tasked with preserving the Rossoblu’s top-flight status.

His task won’t be easy, though. As far as Serie A transfers went in the summer window, Genoa spent the lest out of the 20 clubs in Italy’s elite.

De Rossi will have to likely rely on loan signings at the turn of the year. That is what his predecessor Vieira had to endure and he was unable to carry the Grifone forward.

Daniele De Rossi’s Managerial Record

Daniele De Rossi’s managerial record is relatively sparse as it is still very much in its infancy. De Rossi’s only full-time roles have come with SPAL and ex-club Roma.

He took over the former in October 2022 with the club struggling in Serie B. However, things didn’t improve under De Rossi’s guidance and he left the Stadio Paolo Mazza four months later with the Biancazzurri languishing in 18th.

An emotional return to the Stadio Olimpico was announced in January 2024. De Rossi replaced Jose Mourinho and led the Giallorossi to sixth and the Europa League semi-finals whereby Bayer Leverkusen knocked them out 4-2 on aggregate.

His efforts meant he was rewarded with a new contract but after a winless start to 2024-25, De Rossi was dismissed. He boasts a win record of 36.17% across both clubs.

Before he took the plunge into management, De Rossi was Roberto Mancini’s assistant for the 2020 European Championship. A tournament of which the Azzurri would go on to win.

• 👔 Total games managed – 47
• ✅ Total games won – 17
• 🤝 Total games drawn – 15
• ❌ Total games lost – 15
• ⚽ Total goals for – 64
• 🥅 Total games against – 53
• 📈 Overall win percentage – 36.17%

How Many Points Do Genoa Need To Avoid Serie A Relegation?

Historically, approximately 32-40 points has been enough to ensure survival across the last six Serie A seasons. And that must be the aim for Genoa in 2025-26.

Naturally, there is no telling at this stage the exact number of points the Grifone would need. However, achieving 40+ points will almost certainly guarantee top-flight soccer next year.

When Patrick Vieira took over in November last year, the Rossoblu had just 13 points on the board with the club in 17th position in the standings.

The Frenchman accumulated 33 points in 2024-25 to lead Genoa to 13th in the rankings. Therefore, the Grifone were five places and 15 points clear of danger.

Replicating that will be the absolute minimal aim for De Rossi. If he can achieve that, pushing on in 2026-27 to avoid another relegation squabble will ensure his long-term future in Liguria.

Is Appointing Daniele De Rossi A Risk Or Masterstroke?

That remains to be seen but it is certainly brave to hire Daniele De Rossi owing to his lack of managerial experience. In particular as he struggled during his tenure with SPAL.

They were in a similar predicament to Genoa – albeit in Serie B – and De Rossi left them worse off. However, his time at Roma was a lot more satisfactory although it ended badly.

De Rossi got the Giallorossi firing on all cylinders with his lucid and attacking style of play. He led his boyhood club to a sixth place finish and was 180 minutes away from reaching the Europa League final.

All in all, employing De Rossi does come with its pros and cons but Genoa will likely benefit from his tough stance and never-say-die attitude. Something of which was always evident in his playing days.

Whether the impending appointment is a risk or masterstroke remains to be seen. However, one thing that is guaranteed is that De Rossi will give his all for the Grifone’s cause.