Divisions are beginning to emerge within the Roma squad, particularly between head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and senior club advisor Claudio Ranieri. Reports from Italy indicate that the two men did not speak to each other during lunch before training on Monday.

Roma ‘can’t continue’ with Gasperini, Ranieri and Massara

According to Corriere dello Sport, both the coach and the former coach, now an advisor, were present at Roma’s Trigoria training ground on Monday. However, they were seated at separate tables, and Gasperini reportedly chose to “ignore” Ranieri. This action is said to be a reaction to a provocative interview given by Ranieri the previous week.

Prior to Roma’s 3-0 victory over Pisa on Friday, Ranieri spoke to DAZN, stating: “My job is very different to the coach’s. I have my say when I’m asked by the ownership, not by the coach. I rarely intervene on matters on the pitch.”

Ranieri also hinted that Gasperini was not his initial choice for the head coach position at Roma over the summer. He revealed, “I mentioned the names of five or six coaches. Three didn’t come and the club chose Gasperini. I spoke to him because I knew him. We chose him because of what he achieved at Atalanta.”

He further elaborated on the team’s signings: “What is happening now is what we expected. We signed young players, all chosen together. There is not one that came in without his approval. (Jan) Ziolkowski, (Daniele) Ghilardi, (Lorenzo) Venturino and (Bryan) Zaragoza all came in at his request, to give the coach a team that had been within a point of the Champions League.”

Corriere dello Sport describes the relationship between Gasperini and Ranieri as one of “great coldness.” The report also notes that the silence from owner Dan Friedkin has not helped to resolve the situation.

A report from Tuesday claims that Friedkin is taken aback by the breakdown in the relationship between Gasperini and Ranieri. He reportedly holds Ranieri in high regard due to his past achievements and his connection with the Roma club. Conversely, the Friedkins are convinced that Gasperini has performed adequately with the available squad in the 2025-26 season.

Corriere dello Sport suggests that a decision will need to be made in the relatively near future, and that the current setup involving Gasperini, Ranieri, and sporting director Ricky Massara “cannot continue” in its present form.

English Translation:

Tensions Rise in Rome as Gasperini and Ranieri Engage in a Cold War

Divisions are beginning to surface within the Roma camp, most notably between head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and senior club advisor Claudio Ranieri. Recent reports from Italy suggest that the two figures did not interact during lunch prior to Monday’s training session.

Roma’s Leadership Trio of Gasperini, Ranieri, and Massara Facing Uncertainty

According to information from Corriere dello Sport, both the current coach and the former coach-turned-advisor were present at Roma’s Trigoria training facility on Monday. However, they were seated at separate tables, and Gasperini is reported to have intentionally “ignored” Ranieri, a response to a provocative interview that emerged the previous week.

In an interview with DAZN before Roma’s decisive 3-0 victory over Pisa on Friday, Ranieri commented on his role: “My job is very different from the coach’s. I voice my opinion when asked by the ownership, not by the coach. I rarely intervene in on-pitch matters.”

Ranieri also alluded to the fact that Gasperini was not his primary choice for the head coach role at Roma during the summer. He stated, “I proposed five or six coaching names. Three were unavailable, and the club opted for Gasperini. I spoke with him because I knew him. We selected him based on his achievements at Atalanta.”

He further explained the rationale behind recent signings: “What’s happening now is as we anticipated. We recruited young players, all of whom were selected jointly. Not a single player was acquired without his approval. (Jan) Ziolkowski, (Daniele) Ghilardi, (Lorenzo) Venturino, and (Bryan) Zaragoza were all brought in at his request, aiming to equip the coach with a team that was narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification.”

Corriere dello Sport characterizes the relationship between Gasperini and Ranieri as one of “significant detachment,” adding that the owner Dan Friedkin’s lack of public comment has done little to quell the issue.

A report from Tuesday indicates that Friedkin is surprised by the deterioration of the relationship between Gasperini and Ranieri. He is said to hold Ranieri in high esteem, recognizing his past successes and his deep connection to the Roma club. However, the Friedkin ownership group is also of the opinion that Gasperini has performed commendably with the current squad in the 2025-26 season.

Corriere dello Sport posits that a definitive decision will need to be made in the near future, and that the current configuration involving Gasperini, Ranieri, and sporting director Ricky Massara “cannot persist” in its present state.