Ranieri won’t deny Gasperini will be new Roma coach: ‘Have faith’ | OneFootball

Claudio Ranieri has urged Roma fans to ‘have faith’ in the club on the choice of their new coach, as for the first time he doesn’t deny Gian Piero Gasperini is a leading candidate.

The tactician came out of retirement in November to help rescue them from hovering above the relegation zone to a fifth-place finish in Serie A, with Europa League qualification.

He was always adamant that it would only be a temporary situation and that he would step aside at the end of the season.

Ranieri focused on future of Roma

epa12094855 Roma�s coach Claudio Ranieri and Atalanta’s coach Gian Piero Gasperini smile as they pose ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Atalanta BC and AS Roma, in Bergamo, Italy, 12 May 2025. EPA-EFE/MICHELE MARAVIGLIA

“The most important reason why I decided to quit is in order to give the new coach the time to set up a project,” said Ranieri as he received the Premio Simpatia award in the Capital today.

“With me at the helm, there would be no future, so you may as well let the new boss start earlier and give him the chance to get to know the whole Roma atmosphere and its fans. We must do well and know there is a lot of work to be done. We want to aim high and that takes time.

“The English said ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’ – so have faith and you will see we are right in the end.”

epa12115156 Roma�s coach Claudio Ranieri shows a trophy during the Italian Serie A soccer match between AS Roma and AC Milan, in Rome, Italy, 18 May 2025. EPA-EFE/ANGELO CARCONI

There are multiple reports today that Gasperini is in advanced negotiations with Roma, having rejected a new contract offer from Atalanta, seemingly speaking directly to Ranieri about this project at the Stadio Olimpico.

For the first time today, when pressed on Gasperini, Ranieri did not deny he was the main candidate.

“Look, I don’t want to name names, I don’t like doing that. So let’s go forward and see when the President wants to tell you the name of the new coach.”

Sky Sport Italia insist a three-year contract is ready for Gasperini to bring his specific style of football to Roma, ending nine years with Atalanta.