Claudio Ranieri's Roma advisory role set to end after Gasperini rift
Claudio Ranieri is expected to leave his role as a senior advisor at AS Roma imminently, according to reports in Italy. The club's American owners, the Friedkin Group, are poised to sever ties with the former manager following internal tensions arising from his public comments about current head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. A decision is anticipated within the next few hours, bringing a premature end to a contract that was due to run until June 2027.
The situation reached a tipping point almost two weeks ago, prior to Roma's match against Pisa. Ranieri addressed recent transfer market remarks made by Gasperini, stating, "It's easy to only talk about Wesley and Malen, but all the signings were shared with the coach." He then added a pointed comment on the managerial appointment process: "Three coaches told us no, so the club chose Gasperini." These statements were perceived as a public critique of the coach and the club's decision-making.
The comments did not sit well with Gasperini, who later responded by saying, "Our fans do not deserve this theatrics. And don't put me and him on the same level: I have neither replied nor attacked." The fallout appears to have forced the ownership to choose between their long-term advisor and their current manager, with the decision reportedly falling in favor of Gasperini. This marks a swift reversal from earlier reassurances that suggested Ranieri's position was secure.
Ranieri's latest chapter at the Stadio Olimpico began in November 2024 when he returned to the club in a senior advisory capacity under the Friedkin ownership. His history with Roma spans decades, having previously served as a player and later as a manager on three separate occasions. His most recent ten-month stint in the front office now seems destined to conclude, cutting short what was envisioned as a long-term strategic role.
The impending departure underscores the challenges of integrating a club legend with a strong public voice into a modern football hierarchy, especially when that voice clashes with the incumbent technical staff. For Roma, it consolidates authority behind Gasperini as they plan for the future, removing a potential source of external commentary on football matters. For Ranieri, it represents an abrupt end to his latest attempt to shape the fortunes of the club he has been associated with for much of his life.
