Why Was The Roma Coach Dismissed and What does Dybala Have to Do With It?
Croatian coach Ivan Juric, manager of Roma, hit a new low on Sunday with another loss to Bologna (2-3), sparking rumors about his departure from the club. The situation has worsened due to what has been interpreted in Italy as a "betrayal" of Argentine Paulo Dybala, whom Juric left out of the match citing physical issues, but sources close to the club claim it was actually related to the player's contractual situation.
Out of 12 games managed by Juric, Roma has won only 4, against theoretically weaker opponents like Udinese, Venezia, Dinamo Kyiv, and Torino. The other 8 matches ended with 5 losses and 3 draws, results that are insufficient both in the league and Europe. This has sparked frustration among fans at the Stadio Olimpico, who, following the departure of Daniele De Rossi, have maintained their protest against the club's management, booing both the coach and the players.
Moreover, it was leaked that the decision to leave Dybala out of the lineup for this game might have deeper reasons than the physical issues Juric mentioned in his press conference. The coach stated that the Argentine player experienced discomfort due to an old scar, which prevented him from training normally. However, Italian media pointed out that Dybala and his entourage strongly disagreed with the coach's explanation and were disappointed by his management.
According to some reports, Juric even jumped ahead of medical tests Dybala was supposed to undergo shortly after the press conference, and previous tests had shown promising results. This has led to speculation that the real reason for leaving the player out might be related to his contract. If Dybala makes more than 55% of appearances with at least 45 minutes on the pitch, the club would have to automatically extend his contract for another season. In fact, in the summer, Roma tried to put him on the market to save on his high salary.
So far, Dybala has already been a substitute in 6 games, fueling further speculation about his future at the club.
As for Juric's future, rumors suggest that Roberto Mancini, who was recently dismissed as head coach of Saudi Arabia, could replace him. Additionally, Massimiliano Allegri, former Juventus coach, is currently without a contract and is seen as a viable option for Roma.
