Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini stressed the vital importance of a strong and connected relationship between the coach and the sporting director. He also indicated that Manu Koné might leave the Olimpico stadium in the summer.
Roma is gearing up for an away match against Parma, who have already secured their place in the league. Meanwhile, the Giallorossi are still in contention for a Champions League spot, trailing fourth-placed Juventus by just one point.
Parma vs. Roma – Gasperini’s Pre-Match Press Conference
“Every match is decisive, especially now with only three remaining,” Gasperini stated during a press conference on Saturday, as reported by Gazzetta. “Parma plays attractive football. Even though they’ve secured survival, no team ever eases up, and that’s a positive aspect. I know [Parma coach] Carlos Cuesta; he is a very capable young man. He has reached the top quickly despite his young age. He can be bold at times, but he has proven his worth.”
Gasperini has been granted increasing authority by the club’s owners, who dismissed Senior Advisor Claudio Ranieri two weeks ago. Ranieri had a strained relationship with Gasperini, and the same is said to be true for Roma’s sporting director, Frederic Massara, who is also expected to leave the club at the season’s end.
When asked if Roma was behind in planning for the next season, Gasperini responded, “A lot depends on the club’s intentions, so we need to look to them. I don’t see anyone having an advantage. Things develop quickly at the end of the season. This is a valuable group, as the results show. Their resilience in difficult moments has been evident. Obviously, the Champions League provides more significant financial resources for the market, and everyone aims to qualify for this reason. However, many clubs operate effectively even without substantial funds.”
Gasperini added, “We are focused on the current season. Any speculations involve many teams. I must work with my vision; the coach and the sporting director must collaborate, not work in separate directions. They need to communicate honestly to technically improve Roma in a way that aligns with the available resources and the coach’s ideas. That should be the sole objective. These two roles must be very close and interconnected, offering mutual support and understanding each other’s challenges. My playing style has yielded certain results, and I want to build on my strengths. I am looking for players who can help me evolve my style of play.”
Roma might need to sell one of their key players for financial reasons if they fail to qualify for the Champions League, and Koné has reportedly attracted interest from numerous clubs.
“In modern football, nobody is unsellable, except for a select few top clubs,” explained Gasperini. “Again, concerning the top four, operating without adequate resources is something we must consider. However, these offers are infrequent; it’s mostly just rumors. Koné is a strong player, and I hope he continues to play for Roma, but it will depend on offers that could enable us to pursue different opportunities.”
Regarding contract extensions for players like Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Zeki Celik, Gasperini commented, “It doesn’t seem like I’ve been involved. If I am, I will voice my opinion. They are very busy right now, and when the time comes for them, we will be able to discuss it. Evidently, it’s not the right moment yet, but it will arrive, and we must all be convinced. We will not be allowed to have doubts or uncertainties.”