The two veteran coaches, both known for their distinctive white hair, sat side by side at Gasperini’s presentation on Tuesday. The 73-year-old Ranieri transitions to an advisory role after successfully guiding Roma out of a mid-season crisis, securing a fifth-place finish in Serie A. The 67-year-old Gasperini, who transformed Atalanta into a formidable force in Italy and Europe, now seeks to crown his illustrious career by making an impact in one of Italy’s biggest football markets.
The Allure of Rome Over Turin
Gasperini acknowledged that he was indeed approached by Juventus, his hometown club where he spent his youth career as a player. However, he felt a strong pull towards the capital. “Yes. But I had a feeling that this was the right path, despite all the risks I keep being reminded about,” Gasperini said, alluding to the immense pressure that comes with coaching a perennially underperforming club in a demanding city.
Despite the challenges, Gasperini expressed confidence in his ability to make a difference. “Considering my style of soccer, I feel I can make an impact. It’s an ideal situation. It’s what I’m looking for right now. I strongly believe that I made the right choice.” His only previous stint at a major Italian club was a brief, winless five-match spell at Inter Milan in 2011.
Ranieri, who signed a three-year contract, offered his support to Gasperini, stating, “My relationship will be like that of a friend. If he needs something, I will try to resolve it. That’s my job now.” Gasperini becomes Roma’s fourth coach in just 18 months since Jose Mourinho's departure, following Daniele De Rossi, Ivan Juric, and Ranieri himself.
Ranieri's Unwavering Loyalty to Roma
Ranieri's decision to remain with Roma highlights his profound connection to the club and the city of his birth. After being hired in November 2024 when Roma was languishing in 12th place, he masterminded a remarkable turnaround, with the Giallorossi losing only once in the second half of the season to secure a Europa League spot.
Less than ten days ago, following the dismissal of Italy coach Luciano Spalletti amidst concerns of the four-time world champions failing to qualify for the World Cup for a third consecutive time, the Italian soccer federation approached Ranieri. However, Ranieri unequivocally declined the offer.
“I respect Italy but I’m with Roma,” the Roman-born Ranieri stated when asked to explain his decision. Gennaro Gattuso was subsequently hired to coach the national team instead.
Gasperini's Goal-Scoring Philosophy and Dybala's Role
Gasperini’s coaching philosophy is synonymous with prolific attacking football. His Atalanta teams have consistently been among Italy's highest-scoring sides for years, with strikers like Diego Milito (at Genoa), Duvan Zapata, Gianluca Scamacca, and Mateo Retegui all enjoying explosive seasons under his tutelage.
This raises exciting prospects for Roma's attacking talent, including Artem Dovbyk and Tammy Abraham. Gasperini affirmed his commitment to his signature style: “My teams have always scored a lot of goals. That’s my style and I certainly want to try that again here with Roma.”
Intriguingly, Roma's prized but often injured playmaker, Paulo Dybala, once played under Gasperini at Palermo. Gasperini expressed his hopes for Dybala: “I hope I don’t change anything with Dybala, as good as he is. I just hope that he stays in good health and in good condition.”
A Call for Faster-Paced Italian Football
Gasperini also shared his perspective on the broader state of Italian football, expressing disappointment that Serie A clubs have won only two European trophies in the last 15 years: Atalanta's Europa League triumph last year and Roma's Conference League in 2022. The last Italian team to win the Champions League was Inter Milan in 2010, with Inter suffering a humiliating 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in last month’s final.
“You need to play with a fast pace, because when you go abroad they play fast,” Gasperini advised. “Maybe we need to start looking at things a little differently. Because that’s what works and that’s the path we need to follow.”
Roma will compete in the Europa League next season, providing Gasperini with an immediate opportunity to implement his attacking philosophy on a continental stage.