WORLD CUP winner and Italian icon Daniele De Rossi caught football fans off guard with his appearance as he was unveiled as the new coach of Genoa CFC.
The Roma legend, 42, was announced in his new role on Thursday after previous manager Patrick Vieira was sacked.
The Serie A outfit are currently sat in the relegation zone, having secured just six points so far this season under the Frenchman.
De Rossi sported a bushy beard below his signature short-cropped hair as he addressed the media following his appointment.
He told press: “Destiny has brought me here
“Sometimes there are opportunities you can’t miss. I’ve had contact with other teams over the last few weeks and months.
“For months, I’d turned them away. Then, in January, Roma came in. I’ve had other approaches, chats, but nothing came of it.
“Now there’s Genoa, which is a great team. It’s a great honour to be here. I don’t tell lies. I’m honoured, as well as excited and fired-up. I believe that this is a role that should be treated with honour and respect.”
De Rossi was known for being one of the sport’s greatest one-club men, spending almost all of his career with Roma, where he made 459 appearances before spending a brief spell with Boca Juniors.
He also managed almost 120 appearances with the Italian national team, with the peak of his time with Gli Azzurri coming when they won the 2006 World Cup.
BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS
The midfielder spent much of the tournament suspended after receiving a four-game ban for a horror elbow in the group stage, but returned to score a penalty in the shootout against France to secure the title.
His first challenge as manager comes against bottom-of-the-league Fiorentina.
La Viola have also undergone a managerial change this week, appointing fellow former Italy international Paolo Vanoli in search of their first win of the season.
De Rossi said of the test: “If there was one team I would have chosen to avoid, it would be Fiorentina. They have players who can get you through even if it’s not been a positive period.
“But we’re strong as well. The stadium will be full and the boys are in great shape. It will be a Genoa that will give us hope for the future.”
