Eusebio Di Francesco

Eusebio Di Francesco (born 8 September 1969) is an Italian manager and former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He is the head coach of club Venezia.

Club career
Di Francesco started his career with Tuscan teams Empoli and Lucchese. In 1995, he joined Piacenza, where he had the opportunity to play regularly in the top flight. In 1997, he was signed by Roma, winning an Italian championship title in 2001 with the giallorossi. Following this triumph, he agreed to return to Piacenza, for 2 billion lire (€1.03 million by fixed exchange rate) and then retired in 2005 following stints with Ancona and Perugia.

International career
During his time with Roma, Di Francesco also made 12 appearances for the Italy national team between 1998 and 2000, and was called up for a total of 16 times. He received his first call-up while with Piacenza, under manager Cesare Maldini, when he was named in Italy's squad for 1997 Tournoi de France, although he later turned down the offer in order to help Piacenza defeat Cagliari 3–1 relegation play-off in order to remain in Serie A.  He made his international debut on 5 September 1998, under Dino Zoff, in a 2–0 victory over Wales in a UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying match. In addition to his 12 official appearances with Italy, Di Francesco also made an additional appearance for the Italy national team in an unofficial friendly match against the FIFA World Stars on 16 December 1998, held to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Italian Football Federation; he scored his only international goal during the match, which ended in a 6–2 victory to the Italians.

Style of play
Di Francesco was a hard-working and consistent midfielder who, despite not being the most technically gifted footballer, possessed a solid first touch and an ability to make attacking runs into the area. Capable of playing both in centre or on the wing, he was known in particular for his leadership, versatility, and exceptional stamina, as well as his tireless runs up and down the flank.

Early years
After he retired from football, Di Francesco served as team manager for his former club Roma. He then served as the sporting director (in charge of transfers) for Serie C2 club Val di Sangro in 2007. In 2008, he was appointed as head coach of Lega Pro Prima Divisione club Virtus Lanciano, being later sacked in January 2009 due to poor results.

He then served as head coach of Pescara in the 2010–11 Serie B, guiding his team to an impressive season, also thanks to glimpses of attractive football. In June 2011, it was revealed Di Francesco had left Pescara by mutual consent to hold talks with Serie A club Lecce regarding the vacant head coaching post at the club from Salento. He was removed from his coaching duties on 4 December 2011, after achieving only eight points in thirteen games, and leaving his side at the bottom of the league table.

Sassuolo
On 19 June 2012, Di Francesco was appointed the head coach of Serie B side Sassuolo. At the end of 2012–13 season, he guided Sassuolo to the Serie B championship and promotion to the top-flight campaign. He was sacked on 28 January 2014 after a poor run of results, only to be re-appointed to the post on 3 March 2014 after results did not improve in his absence. From March 2014 onwards, results improved, and Di Francesco successfully coached to save Sassuolo from relegation thanks to a run of positive results (13 points in the season's final seven games). In June 2014, it was announced Di Francesco had signed an extension that will keep him contracted with Sassuolo until June 2016. He extended his contract again in April 2016, which would last until June 2019. Sassuolo finished the 2015–16 Serie A season in sixth place, sealing a spot in the third qualifying round of the 2016–17 UEFA Europa League. The following season, Sassuolo managed to advance to the Europa League play-offs under Di Francesco, and eventually sealed a spot in the Europa League group stage.

Roma
On 13 June 2017, Di Francesco was appointed as Roma head coach, replacing Luciano Spalletti, who had left for Internazionale. In his first season, he finished third, qualifying for the 2018–19 UEFA Champions League. In the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League, Roma qualified for the knockout round after topping a group including Chelsea and Atlético Madrid. In the quarter-finals, Roma were able to overturn a 4–1 first-leg deficit to defeat Barcelona and progress to the next round. They were eventually defeated by Liverpool in the semi-finals (7–6 on aggregate).

On 30 January 2019, Roma were knocked out of 2018–19 Coppa Italia, after being beaten 7–1 by Fiorentina. On 7 March 2019, Di Francesco was sacked by Roma following a Champions League exit in the round of 16 against Porto. At the time of his sacking, Roma were fifth in Serie A. Jim Pallotta, club's president, posted to Roma's official website:

"On behalf of myself and everyone at AS Roma, I'd like to thank Eusebio for his work and his commitment. Since returning to the club, Eusebio has always acted professionally and put the club’s needs ahead of his own. We all wish him well for the future."

Sampdoria
On 22 June 2019, he was appointed new head coach of Serie A club Sampdoria. On 7 October 2019, with Sampdoria in last place in Serie A table and with six losses in seven league games, he left the club by mutual consent.

Cagliari
Di Francesco was appointed manager of another Serie A club, Cagliari, on 3 August 2020. Di Francesco was sacked on 22 February 2021.

Hellas Verona
On 7 June 2021, he was unveiled as the new Hellas Verona head coach, signing a two-year contract, until 30 June 2023, starting with the 2021–22 Serie A season. but following three defeats in the first three league games, he was sacked on 14 September 2021.

Frosinone
On 1 July 2023, Di Francesco was named the new head coach of newly-promoted Serie A club Frosinone, replacing outgoing manager Fabio Grosso. Despite an impressive start of the season, Frosinone were eventually relegated on the final matchday of the season, leading Di Francesco to depart from the club with immediate effect.

Venezia
On 26 June 2024, Di Francesco was hired as the new head coach of newly-promoted Serie A club Venezia on a two-year deal.

Personal life
Eusebio Di Francesco has a son, Federico (born in 1994), who followed his father's footsteps by becoming a footballer too. He plays as a winger and made his Serie A debut in March 2013 at the age of 18. Eusebio Di Francesco was named after the Portuguese Football legend Eusébio.

Player

 * Roma
 * Serie A: 2000–01

Manager

 * Sassuolo
 * Serie B: 2012–13

Individual

 * Panchina d'argento: 2012–13
 * Football Leader: 2013 (The First Serie B)
 * Enzo Bearzot Award: 2018