Ahead of Monday night's clash with the Giallorossi, De Rossi revisited his time as coach with Roma.
The Roma legend told DAZN: "I'm sorry for how things went, but in the end they had the success I predicted. I had a clear plan: first year you build, second year you grow, third year you fight for the Scudetto.
"We weren't crazy to bet on this group, which I think is very strong. The presidents hung on every word I said. I've always had a lot of freedom in football, they trusted me, and they started asking me for things before confirming me for the next three years. Then things fell apart a bit, and I'm sorry, but what happened to me and my staff didn't deserve it."
Things that have been strained with former CEO Lina Souloukou, now at Nottingham Forest: "In my first two experiences, I had problems, in different ways, with the directors. At Spal, we cleared things up with one director, I still feel it now. In Rome, I had problems with the CEO, nothing sensational, but problems nonetheless.
"The sacking? I thought and think I have a clear conscience. I never betrayed those who were there, I never used the 'power' I had in that city to protect myself and go against the players; if I had betrayed myself, I wouldn't have been so proud of what we achieved. Returning to Roma? I don't think there was ever a real possibility.
"They made such an obvious and clear choice, but I don't think it would have been the right step for me, even though obviously I would have returned immediately. This year, I turned down almost nothing because I wanted to coach. I turned down the division and a few unclear situations; for the rest, others turned me down."
On facing Roma on Monday, De Rossi also stated: "The match against Roma will be special, I'm curious. I've always wanted Roma to win, every day of my life, that's the thing that makes me laugh the most. I'll have to work for a week to make them lose."