Oasis Almost Lured De Rossi to Man City: Roma Legend's Love for Britpop Almost Led to Premier League Move

Daniele De Rossi has revealed that the prospect of meeting Oasis stars Liam and Noel Gallagher nearly persuaded him to join Manchester City in 2012. The Gallagher brothers, renowned as ardent supporters of the reigning Premier League champions, have witnessed firsthand the club's recent domestic and European dominance. Their influence on City almost extended to securing the services of one of Serie A's most accomplished midfielders, after De Rossi admitted to being drawn to the prospect of meeting the Gallagher brothers.

This revelation comes as Oasis have announced a reunion tour across the UK and Ireland, marking a momentous return for the iconic band 33 years after their first live performance. The Gallagher brothers confirmed the news on Tuesday, ending a 16-year hiatus and sparking excitement among fans worldwide. De Rossi, a self-proclaimed Oasis enthusiast, is likely to be among those attending the tour, having expressed his admiration for the band in a recent interview.

Speaking to the AS Roma website, De Rossi shed light on his fondness for Glasgow, his favourite films including *The Shawshank Redemption*, and his musical preferences, which Oasis topped. "They're the band from my teenage years," he said. "I grew up listening to them and I know all their songs off by heart. I liked those guys, they were real characters. They weren't always conventional or easily approachable but I really liked the stereotype they represented – rock stars off their heads."

"There was a lot of talk about me moving to Manchester City a few years ago but I've never wanted to leave Rome. What excited me the most about that prospect, however, was the fact that I could have met the Gallagher brothers."

Despite this intriguing proposition, De Rossi ultimately remained loyal to Roma, where he spent 18 years, scoring 63 goals in 616 appearances. The former Italian international eventually departed the Italian capital in the summer of 2019, opting for an unexpected move to Boca Juniors in Argentina after his contract with Roma expired.

At the time of De Rossi's potential transfer, Manchester City boasted a star-studded midfield featuring Yaya Touré, Nigel de Jong, James Milner, and David Silva. Despite facing fierce competition, De Rossi would undoubtedly have earned a place in the squad, adding further depth and experience to a formidable lineup.

De Rossi has also previously spoken about his admiration for Manchester United legend Roy Keane, stating: "In my opinion, the legendary Manchester United captain needs no introduction. He's my all-time idol. Besides Gaia (my daughter, who was born on the 16th), I wear 16 because of him. He's the only person in the world I've asked for a photo, two years ago. I was too embarrassed with Maradona but I couldn't resist with him."

In a twist of fate, De Rossi declined a directorial role at Roma in 2019, only to return as their head coach five years later. He took over from Jose Mourinho, finding Roma ninth in the Serie A table. Despite his limited managerial experience, De Rossi steered the team to a respectable sixth-place finish and guided them to the Europa League semi-finals.

Roma has expressed its commitment to De Rossi, stating: "In his short tenure as Head Coach, the positive impact that his leadership has brought to the entire club has told its own story. We will continue to work together as hard as we possibly can to deliver a future that AS Roma's fans deserve. We couldn't be happier to build a long-term project with Daniele."

Currently, Roma finds themselves in 15th place after two rounds of Serie A matches. They began their campaign with a goalless draw against Cagliari, followed by a defeat against Empoli. They are set to face Juventus on Sunday, looking to improve their position in the league.

While De Rossi's love for Oasis nearly sent him to the Etihad Stadium, his loyalty to his boyhood club ultimately prevailed. His journey continues at Roma, where he aims to leave a lasting legacy on the club he holds dear.