Yesterday, AS Roma picked up their first win in Serie A after their 3-0 triumph over Udinese. A success that allows them to move up to tenth place in the standings. But behind the scenes, this good result has faded a little into the background. Since the surprise dismissal of Daniele De Rossi last week, the club from the Louve has been experiencing a turbulent autumn after its poor start to the season. Especially since yesterday, a new earthquake shook the Italian capital.
“AS Roma announces that CEO Lina Souloukou has resigned. We thank Lina for her dedication in a particularly critical phase for the Club and wish her the best for her future professional challenges. The ownership remains fully focused on the growth and success of Roma, with constant attention to the values that make our team so special”. And today, this departure is causing a lot of talk. In its columns, the Sports Gazette wonders whether Souloukou really left on her own or whether she was simply pushed out. Indeed, if the hypothesis of a forced departure exists, it is because the Greek leader is accused of having plotted behind the scenes to bring down Daniele De Rossi, a coach whose appointment for three years she allegedly did not approve.
Souloukou threatened
The daily newspaper specifies among other things that the latter sent her bosses statistical data unfavourable to the coach such as the chances conceded to opponents in counterattacks. But in Rome, we do not attack legends. In Trigoria, the Giallorossi training centre, banners hostile to Souloukou (“Lina, you are the evil of Rome”) have flourished since the dismissal of DDR. However, this passion has sometimes gone off the rails. The Corriere della Sera assures that if Souloukou did not delay in packing her bags, it is also because she received a large number of threats, forcing her to use a security service to move around and accompany her children to school.
This resignation could in any case have another consequence. Having arrived in Rome this summer to start a new cycle, Florent Ghisolfi could also pay the price. Recently, we already reported on the strong criticism of the French sports director in the Italian press. And this Monday, the Gazzetta did not mince its words. “After Lina Souloukou’s resignation, even the position of head of the technical area no longer seems as solid as the three-year contract signed by the manager in June suggested.”before reproaching the former Niçois “a presence almost invisible until now”. Atmosphere…
