Mourinho, 60, took over in May 2021, leading Roma to the Europa Conference League title the following year and the Europa League final in 2023.

However, they are ninth in Serie A, five points behind the Champions League positions, and were knocked out of the Coppa Italia last week by city rivals Lazio.

Former midfielder De Rossi will succeed Mourinho till the conclusion of the season.

The 40-year-old club veteran came up through Roma’s system and made 616 first-team appearances between 2001 and 2019.

De Rossi retired in 2020 and has only managed once since then, a 17-game stint at Serie B team SPAL that concluded with his dismissal last February.

“We believe that the leadership and ambition that have always characterised him can be decisive in chasing the objectives that the team has ahead of it until end of the season,” stated Roma’s owners Dan and Ryan Friedkin.

“We knew the indissoluble bond that unites Daniele to the club, but the enthusiasm with which he immediately accepted this challenge… further convinced us of his ability to be a guide for the players and a proud representative of the values ​​of this club.”

Daniele de Rossi celebrates during his playing spell with Roma.
Daniele de Rossi made the second-most appearances for Roma.
De Rossi, who played 117 games for Italy and won the World Cup in 2006, said: “The emotion of being able to sit on our bench is indescribable; everyone knows how important Roma is to me, but the work that awaits all of us has already taken over.”

“We have no time and no choice. Being competitive, battling for our goals, and striving to attain them are the sole priority that my staff and I have set for ourselves.”