Eusebio Di Francesco
From winning the title as a player to leading the team to the Champions League semi-finals as coach.
Eusebio Di Francesco is an Italian manager and former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He won the Serie A title with AS Roma in 2001 before returning to the club as head coach on 13 June 2017, replacing Luciano Spalletti. In his first season, he finished third, qualifying for the 2018–19 UEFA Champions League. During that campaign, Roma topped a group including Chelsea and Atlético Madrid, overturned a 4–1 first-leg deficit to defeat Barcelona in the quarter-finals, but were eventually defeated by Liverpool in the semi-finals (7–6 on aggregate). He was sacked on 7 March 2019 following a Champions League exit against Porto.
- Coaching Tenure
- June 2016 – November 13, 2018
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Di Francesco played as a midfielder for Roma, winning the Serie A championship in 2001. He returned to the club on 13 June 2017 as head coach, replacing Luciano Spalletti. His first season ended with a third-place finish and qualification for the 2018–19 UEFA Champions League. In that European campaign, Roma topped their group ahead of Chelsea and Atlético Madrid before defeating Barcelona in the quarter-finals after overcoming a 4–1 aggregate deficit. The run ended with a semi-final loss to Liverpool (7–6 on aggregate). He left the post on 7 March 2019 after being eliminated by Porto in the Champions League round of 16.
In Their Own Story
After retiring in 2005 following stints with Ancona and Perugia, Di Francesco returned to Roma as team manager. Nearly a decade later, he took charge of the first team on 13 June 2017. He guided the club to a historic Champions League quarter-final victory over Barcelona, overturning a 4–1 deficit, before falling to Liverpool in the semi-finals. His tenure ended on 7 March 2019 after a defeat by Porto eliminated Roma from Europe.
Reader's Guide
Eusebio Di Francesco played as a midfielder for AS Roma, winning the Serie A title in 2000–01. He returned to the club as head coach in June 2017. Under his leadership, Roma reached the Champions League semi-finals in the 2017–18 season, famously beating Barcelona in the quarter-finals. He was dismissed on 7 March 2019 after a Champions League exit against Porto.
Did You Know?
- Di Francesco turned down an Italy call-up in 1997 to help Piacenza win a relegation play-off against Cagliari.
- He scored his only international goal for Italy in an unofficial friendly against FIFA World Stars on 16 December 1998.
- As a player, he won the Serie A title with Roma in 2001 before returning as head coach in 2017.
- His son Federico made his Serie A debut in March 2013 at age 18.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Eusebio Di Francesco?
He is an Italian football manager and former player who served as the head coach of AS Roma during a significant period in recent history.
What was his playing role at Roma?
Di Francesco spent nine seasons with the club between 1987 and 1996, establishing himself as a reliable central midfielder known for his tactical awareness.
When did he manage AS Roma?
His official tenure as head coach began in June 2016 and concluded on November 13, 2018.
Why is he considered a club legend?
Fans revere him for his unwavering passion and his unique journey from being a beloved squad member to leading the team from the touchline.
How did his coaching stint end?
He was relieved of his duties after a series of poor results that impacted the team's standing during the 2018–2019 campaign.
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