September 22, (THEWILL) – Roma CEO Lina Souloukou has resigned following the controversial dismissal of manager Daniele De Rossi. The Greek executive left her position after just over a year, amidst fan outrage over De Rossi’s sacking. Roma announced Souloukou’s departure in a brief statement, on Sunday, thanking her for her service during a critical period for the club.
De Rossi, a beloved figure among Roma supporters, was fired on Wednesday due to a poor start to the season and reported tensions with club leadership. The sudden nature of his dismissal and the swift appointment of Ivan Juric as his replacement have further angered fans. Some supporters have planned to protest by leaving their section of the Stadio Olimpico empty for 30 minutes during Juric’s first match against Udinese on Sunday.
The situation has escalated to the point where Italian media reported that Souloukou and her children were placed under police protection following threats. Fans also displayed a banner outside Roma’s training ground, describing the former CEO as “evil”. The intensity of the backlash highlights the deep connection between De Rossi and the Roma fanbase, given his status as a local player who spent most of his career with the club.
Roma’s decision to replace De Rossi with Juric has been met with scepticism from supporters. Juric, who has previously managed smaller Serie A clubs, is seen by many fans as an underwhelming choice to lead the team. This sentiment has contributed to the overall dissatisfaction with the club’s recent decisions.
The team’s struggles on the pitch have compounded the off-field turmoil. Roma currently sit 17th in Serie A, just above the relegation zone on goal difference. The club has yet to win a match this season, adding pressure to the new management structure and incoming coach Juric as they attempt to turn Roma’s fortunes around.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
