Daniele De Rossi has extended his contract with Roma until 2027, the Serie A club announced on Tuesday, as a reward for his performance as Jose Mourinho’s replacement.

Roma had previously stated in April that De Rossi will remain first-team coach “for the foreseeable future,” with Tuesday’s release just confirming the three-year extension of the 40-year-old’s contract.

When Mourinho was fired in January, former Roma captain De Rossi took over as temporary manager and initially revived the team, leading the capital club to the Europa League semifinals.

Last season, Roma finished sixth in Serie A and outside the Champions League spots, a disappointing end to a season that appeared to have turned around once De Rossi took control.

However, he has shown potential for someone whose only previous managerial experience was an ill-fated four months at lower-league club SPAL, which ended abruptly in February last year.

De Rossi, who won the World Cup with Italy in 2006, is regarded as a local hero by Roma fans, having played in some of the club’s best teams over the last two decades alongside Italian superstar Francesco Totti.

He grew up in a gritty and ready coastal district of Rome, made his Roma debut in 2001, and wowed fans with his passionate style of play.

However, he only won two Italian Cups and the 2007 Italian Super Cup before retiring from football in early 2020 with Boca Juniors after less than a season in Argentina.