Friedkin Urged to Make Firm Roma Decision as Gasperini Continues on Mourinho’s Path

Gian Piero Gasperini and Claudio Ranieri are expected to meet at Trigoria tomorrow, as Roma owners are urged to make ‘firm’ decisions following a public dispute between the coach and the senior advisor.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Roma coach Gasperini and senior advisor Ranieri will meet at the team’s training ground on Monday, crossing paths for the first time since their exchange of views on Friday.

Gasperini has frequently voiced criticism regarding the club’s transfer activities this season. Sources also indicate his dissatisfaction with the medical staff's handling of injuries to key players, specifically Paulo Dybala and Wesley.

The relationship between Gasperini and sporting director Frederic Massara is known to be strained. Senior advisor Ranieri intervened on Friday, asserting that Gasperini had approved every signing this term and revealing that the Italian tactician was hired last summer after three other candidates had declined the Giallorossi's offer.

As Gasperini and Ranieri prepare for their meeting, Gazzetta suggests that club owners Dan and Ryan Friedkin must make decisive choices about the club's direction beyond the summer.

The newspaper points out that the current setup involving Ranieri, Massara, and Gasperini appears incompatible, necessitating a choice by the club owners who to rely on for the 2026-27 season.

Gasperini, whose contract with Roma extends until 2028, is not the first coach in recent years to publicly challenge the club. José Mourinho adopted a similar stance during his two-and-a-half-year tenure, which concluded with his dismissal in January 2024.

Roma, as an institution, is reportedly displeased with Gasperini’s approach. Nevertheless, the team remains competitive in the race for a Champions League spot, despite some inconsistent performances in the latter part of the campaign.

The Roma ownership will need to decide whether to continue with Gasperini beyond 2026-27, which would likely grant the Italian tactician greater authority, particularly in transfer market decisions.

Conversely, retaining Massara and Ranieri would signal the commencement of a new sporting project from the ground up, following the dismissals of Mourinho, Daniele De Rossi, and Ivan Juric in the past two years.

• Read more – Gasperini tension could drive Ranieri toward Italy job