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Di Marzio: De Rossi Could Be Fiorentina's New Manager

Uh...what?

Daniele De Rossi sits on the bench during the Italian Serie... Photo by Isabella Bonotto/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

There are unexpected transfer stories, then there's this: Roma almost-lifer Daniele De Rossi has long been rumored to join the coaching ranks in the near future, but could that long prophesied day arrive as soon as next season? Gianluca Di Marzio just dropped a bombshell update on De Rossi's first steps into the world of football managing.

According to Di Marzio, Fiorentina are considering De Rossi—who has literally no coaching experience at any level—for their post next season. The Viola are already on their second manager of the season, appointing Giuseppe Iachini after Vincenzo Montella lost the job in late December.

Despite the managerial change, Fiorentina have struggled to stay above the relegation zone and currently sit just six points clear of the drop. Even if the Viola survive the season, it’s likely they'll replace Iachini on the bench and have been connected to Luciano Spalletti intermittently over the past few months.

However, rather than hiring Roma's former manager, Di Marzio has pipped the former Roma captain to make the shock move to Firenze. With no coaching experience whatsoever, this would be a bold and risky move for Rocco Commisso but De Rossi has always been viewed as a manager in the making, so it's a risk that could provide huge returns for Fiorentina.

But it begs the question: if Roma do indeed move on from Paulo Fonseca this summer, would De Rossi be a viable candidate or would it be best for him to cut his teeth elsewhere before assuming the Roma bench?

And for that matter, is it safe to even assume he'll coach Roma or could he possibly become the next Carlo Ancelotti, forever pledging to return to the capital some day?

Di Marzio promised updates later this evening, so check back with us then.