Roma Meltdown Update: What Is Happening With Hummels? Is Jurić a Dead Man Walking?

There’s no real evidence that it’s a genuine Chinese proverb, but in the English language, “May you live in interesting times” is often thought of as quite a savage curse. The phrase is deeply ironic because interesting moments are usually full of trouble and frustration. In that sense, Roma is certainly enduring an interesting time.

Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images

First, there is the continued absence of Ballon d’Or nominee Mats Hummels from Roma’s lineup. Hummels’ signing was one that came with a lot of fanfare, and for good reason; he’s one of the best German defenders of all time, and when paired with the other free agent signing of Mario Hermoso, it appeared that Roma had finally built a defense that could help the Giallorossi re-enter the Champions League.

Yet since signing in Rome, it’s been a whole lot of riding the pine for Hummels, with the exception of one appearance that featured an own goal on his part. Hummels didn’t even play against Royale-Union Saint Gilloise in the Europa League this week, with Bryan Cristante getting the start. Reports suggest that Cristante starting over Hummels surprised nearly everyone in Roma’s locker room, but before the match, Jurić said it was simply a “tactical decision.”

Now reports suggest that if something doesn’t change, Hummels is likely to return to Germany in the January transfer window, leaving Roma without important depth at center-back and showcasing just how messy the Giallorossi locker room is at the present moment.

Photo by Fabio Rossi/AS Roma via Getty Images

On the bright side for those of you who want Hummels to stay in Rome, something appears to be changing very soon for the Giallorossi: namely, their manager. The rumor mill also suggested today that regardless of Roma’s result against Bologna, Ivan Jurić is set to be sacked following that match. Leggo reports that the Friedkins had issued an ultimatum to Jurić, saying he had to win against Union Saint Gilloise and Bologna to keep his job. As Roma drew Union Saint Gilloise, that implies that come the international break, Roma will be sacking a manager for the third time in 2024.

If this is true, I can’t say that I’m too hung up on losing Jurić. His football has been uninspiring to me, and while it’s certainly not all his fault, I’ve been finding it harder and harder to turn on Roma matches since he took over. Something clearly needs to change, and since clubs usually don’t sack players, sacking the manager is really the only option. In terms of replacement managers, I hope that none of the rumored replacement managers are Friedkins’ actual replacements. I don’t want to watch Allegriball nearly as much as I don’t watch to watch Jurićball. Quite simply, I want La Maggica back, and it’s embarrassing that we don’t get La Maggica given the amount of quality in Roma’s attack this season.

Romanisti have certainly been cursed to live in interesting times this year. Let’s hope that they get slightly less interesting in the near future.