An up-and-down season ends with a promise of rebirth. Ranieri says goodbye to the bench but remains close to the club’s heart. Crucial choices coming for Roma’s future, amid expectations, strategies and twists and turns
Roma, ecco la svolta: saluta tutti e va da Ranieri (foto: Ansa) – serieanews.com
The championship is finally over, and in the end, needless to turn around, not as Roma hoped. No Champions: fifth place, Europa League. But Claudio Ranieri did something few would have bet on: he took over a limping team and led it to a Scudetto-winning turnaround.
A true feat, one that brought a lump to the throat of anyone who cares about these colors. But now, Ranieri himself, who publicly announced his retirement from coaching, is about to change roles. Behind the desk, yes, but still within the Giallorossi orbit.
And here we get into the thick of things. For months Ranieri, together with Florent Ghisolfi, the sporting director, has been working under the radar to choose Roma’s next coach. A list of names, yes, but not just names thrown out there: real, thought-out, reasoned casting. And now, that list will be handed over to the Friedkins, who will have to decide who will be the new coach.
To understand how long and uncertain this match has been, one only has to look at the names that have been circulating: from Fabregas to the sensational Klopp rumor, via many Italian and foreign coaches, old and new. So many suggestions, so many rumors, but one constant: Gian Piero Gasperini. Always there, in the background. At times given as close, at times given as faded, but never really erased from Roma’s radar.
Roma, si torna su Gasperini: svolta per portarselo a casa
At one point, Ranieri had even publicly ruled him out. He made it clear that the next coach would not be him. But those who know these dynamics well know how much these phrases are sometimes just pretexts. Because according to what our editorial staff understands, Gasperini has never really been out of the picture. On the contrary, in the last few hours, his name has come back strongly in the news.
Roma, si torna su Gasperini: svolta per portarselo a casa (Foto: Ansa) – serieanews.com
The situation with Atalanta has evolved. Gasperini is one step away from saying goodbye, after years that saw him play an absolute starring role in Bergamo, taking the club to unhoped-for heights. And just as his adventure with Atalanta nears its end, here comes Roma again. Ranieri and Ghisolfi have always considered Gasperini a first choice, especially if he were to break free. And now, all indications are that the time has come.
We are in the final squeeze. There will be important developments in the coming days, both on the Bergamo and the Giallorossi fronts. Roma is ready to turn over a new leaf, and Ranieri, from behind the desk, is ready to sign the first major blow of his new era. There is a palpable air of anticipation, but also a clear feeling: Roma no longer wants to experience half-hearted seasons. With Gasperini, the bet is to build a strong, ambitious project capable of returning the team permanently to the top.
This time, really, one cycle closes and another opens. Ranieri says goodbye, but he stays. Gasperini, perhaps, arrives. And Roma starts again.
This article Roma, here’s the turning point: says goodbye to everyone and goes to Ranieri – EXCLUSIVE appeared in its original version first on SerieANews.
