Casting for the post-Ranieri era is entering into full swing. Among the profiles evaluated by Roma, one in particular is gaining momentum after a sudden breakup abroad. Everything revolves around the end of the championship
Ranieri, attenzione: il prossimo allenatore della Roma è rimasto senza squadra (AnsaFoto) – serieanews.com
The list of candidates has never been short. The problem, if anything, is skimming. Claudio Ranieri has been working for weeks on the post-Claudio Ranieri, but he has chosen to do so unhurriedly, out of respect for a group that is trying to end a transitional year with dignity. Yet something is moving. And today, more than ever, the name at the top of the list is likely to become a certainty.
The feeling, actually, is that the decision has already been made. Not officially, of course, but everything will be clear when the time is right. Not now. For a specific reason: to close the season well without distractions. Europe is still within reach and we need to hit the target. Then, when the season is over, it will be Ranieri himself who will announce who will take his place.
Among the profiles considered, there is one that has been gaining ground for some time. A name that circulated, yes, but in the background. Instead, step by step, he has surpassed everyone. Not least because, in the meantime, he would also be losing his job.
Pioli, con l’Al Nassr è finita: esonero e poi è pronto per la Roma
We have been saying this for several weeks already: Ranieri’s favorite to take his place is Stefano Pioli. The former AC Milan coach is much liked by the Giallorossi club for many reasons: the composed and calm standing like Ranieri himself, the ability to enhance the talents at his disposal. And a winning past after the Scudetto won with Milan.
Pioli, con l’Al Nassr è finita: esonero e poi è pronto per la Roma (AnsaFoto) – serieanews.com
Stefano Pioli had departed from Saudi Arabia with the idea of relaunching himself. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr had welcomed him as the right coach to win it all: championship and Asian Champions. They gave him millions and ambition, expecting immediate results. But reality took a different direction.
The championship had already gone awry: too wide a gap from the top, too many missed opportunities. And now came the final blow: elimination in the Asian Champions semifinals, at home, against Kawasaki. A well-organized Japanese team, but with an infinitely smaller budget. Defeat that triggered general discontent.
The local press pilloried him. Fans openly protested him. And in the post-match conference a surreal scene was staged: a reporter pointed to him “airport, airport” in Italian. A clear provocation, and not even too subtle, which moreover says a lot about the level of the local press and soccer. But let’s leave it at that.
A media person to Stefano Pioli:
“The airport…the airport.”
pic.twitter.com/L4rSkJmBBn
– Al Nassr Zone (@TheNassrZone) April 30, 2025
At this point, the Rome hypothesis comes powerfully back into focus. Or maybe it had never left. Because Pioli has never hidden his desire to return to Italy, and Roma has already had more than one contact. Exploratory talks, yes, but with a certain feeling. And now that there are no more contractual obstacles, the puzzle seems almost complete.
Ranieri would be ready to hand over the baton to him specifically, after listing him as a favorite. The respect between the two is total. And there is a feeling in Trigoria that Pioli may be the right man to continue in the groove of balance, without tears.
Nothing is official yet, of course. But the timetable is getting shorter. And while Ranieri is playing for Europe, Pioli is waiting for the signal. Which could come from the very person who, today, sits on the bench that was also his in 2009. And who is now ready to choose Roma’s next coach.
This article Ranieri, beware: Roma’s next coach left without team appeared in its original version first on SerieANews.
