(Reuters) – SPAL have appointed former AS Roma captain Daniele De Rossi as their new head coach to replace Roberto Venturato, the Italian second division side announced on Tuesday.
De Rossi, 39, who won the 2006 World Cup with Italy, was Roberto Mancini’s assistant when the national team won the European Championship last year.
He left the post later that year to pursue his goal of becoming a manager and signed a contract with SPAL until 2024.
De Rossi, who represented Italy 117 times, hung up his boots in 2020 after 18 years in Rome and a short stint with Argentine top-flight side Boca Juniors.
SPAL, who were relegated to Serie B in 2020, are 14th in the table after eight games and travel to Cittadella on Saturday.