Gasperini addresses Roma turmoil, admits strained relationship with Massara
Gian Piero Gasperini has addressed the internal upheaval at AS Roma following the club's termination of senior advisor Claudio Ranieri's contract, while openly acknowledging a lack of technical "feeling" with sporting director Ricky Massara. The manager spoke at a press conference ahead of Roma's crucial Serie A match against Bologna, a fixture the club must navigate as they sit five points adrift of the Champions League places with five games remaining.
Roma confirmed Ranieri's departure earlier on Thursday in a brief statement, thanking him for his "significant contribution" but emphasizing the club's "clear direction" and strong leadership under owners the Friedkin family. Gasperini, who has recently been handed increased responsibility and public backing by the ownership, stated the club's communication highlighted two key things for him: "the confidence, which I have never lacked from the club," and that "Roma comes before everything." When asked about the breakdown with Ranieri, Gasperini claimed he was "surprised and sorry" and insisted he had played no part in creating the situation, stating, "I have done nothing. Do not put me on the same level in this story."
The coach's most revealing comments, however, concerned his working relationship with sporting director Massara. Gasperini admitted that while Massara is "a very good person," the pair failed to develop a necessary synergy on technical matters. "From a technical point of view, I don't know if we had the right feeling, if there was a bond," Gasperini said, clarifying the issue was purely professional and related to his different tactical ideas, not personal. He stressed he had never vetoed transfer targets but had consistently requested attacking reinforcements since his arrival, a common demand for a new coach with a distinct playing philosophy.
Gasperini expanded on his vision for the ideal dynamic between a manager and a sporting director, arguing they must "travel in pairs" and share responsibility for results and squad building. He alluded to past dysfunction where a sporting director might speak with one coach while lining up another, a system he believes is outdated. The manager's candid assessment of the relationship with Massara, whom he referred to in the past tense at one point, casts significant doubt over the sporting director's long-term future at the club despite Gasperini stating that decision rests with the ownership.
On the pitch, Gasperini provided a mixed update on Paulo Dybala, who has returned to training after nearly three months out but is unlikely to start against Bologna. The manager expressed a desire to see Dybala link up with summer signing Donyell Malen, a partnership that has been rarely seen this season. Regarding the failed January move for Jadon Sancho, Gasperini simply stated the ownership "rightly decided not to do that operation," supporting the club's financial stance. With the season reaching its climax, Gasperini emphasized that all focus is on securing a top-five finish, noting the margin for error is now minimal, while discussions about his own and other players' futures will wait until after the campaign concludes on May 24th.
