Ranieri rules out Gasperini as Roma coach: ‘He won’t be our manager’ | OneFootball

Claudio Ranieri confirmed that he and sporting director Florent Ghisolfi are leading the search for a new Roma manager for next season, but under mounting pressure from reporters, he ultimately ruled out a profile that had been heavily linked with a move to the Stadio Olimpico. ‘Gasperini will not be the coach.’

The Giallorossi boss fielded numerous questions on the matter during his pre-match press conference ahead of Roma’s Serie A trip to Lecce. He explained that there is no set deadline for an official announcement, as the timing will depend on president Dan Friedkin.

epa11952051 Roma’s coach Claudio Ranieri looks on during the Italian Serie A soccer match Empoli FC vs AS Roma at Carlo Castellani Stadium in Empoli, Italy, 09 March 2025. EPA-EFE/CLAUDIO GIOVANNINI

Despite ongoing speculation surrounding potential candidates, the 73-year-old firmly stated that ‘none’ of the coaches he has personally contacted for the role ‘has been reported’.

Ranieri rules out Gasperini for Roma job and explains what next manager ‘must know’

“I expected it… This week we’re talking about Gasperini, and next week we’ll talk about someone else,” Ranieri told reporters at a press conference.

“What makes me happy is that you’ve mentioned a lot of names, but none of the ones I’ve spoken to have been reported.

“The deadline is when the president decides to announce it. I’ve already given my answer. If I say no, you won’t believe me, and if I say yes, you’ll go crazy, so it’s up to you.”

Ranieri then went on to explain how the selection process would work, insisting Roma would ‘lose a year’ if he stayed for another season.

“It will be me and Ghisolfi who choose,” he added.

“We’ll give a list of potential candidates to the president, and he will decide. The fanbase is important, but we know that the fanbase loves those who do well at Roma.

BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 16: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of Atalanta, looks on prior to the Serie A match between Atalanta and FC Internazionale at Gewiss Stadium on March 16, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“If someone isn’t appreciated at first, the results will still matter in the end. But I do believe the name will be liked. Whoever comes knows they must do well. Roma wants to reach the top, and the new coach will know that in the first two transfer markets, we can’t make reckless spending. Those who come must know these things.

“I will say what we expect; we will need to support and help the new coach. If I stayed as a coach, we would lose a year. I am not the future of Roma. The person who comes must be the future of Roma.”

When asked again about Gasperini, Ranieri replied: “You can rule out everyone you’ve mentioned. Gasperini will not be the manager.”