Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini is formulating plans to strengthen the team’s squad ahead of next season, according to reports in Italy. The plans, which require approval from owner Dan Friedkin, center around identifying players with similar profiles to Denzel Malen and Wesley, suggesting a focus on attacking reinforcements.
Gasperini initially alluded to the need for such players during a recent press conference, a statement that reportedly contributed to a breakdown in his relationship with senior advisor Pierluigi Collina, who has since departed his role. The coach is seeking to add depth to key areas of the pitch, specifically targeting a right-back, a central midfielder, and another forward to bolster the team's competitiveness and mitigate the impact of injuries or suspensions to key players.
Alongside player recruitment, Gasperini is also pushing for a restructuring of the club’s sporting director role, envisioning a more collaborative, “managerial” approach reminiscent of the English model. However, this will not see Gasperini directly assume the duties of a sporting director, but rather work in tandem with a new appointment, potentially replacing current director Massara. The club has begun an internal search for candidates, initially considering figures such as Ausilio, Paratici, and Giuntoli.
The search has now seemingly narrowed to Giovanni Manna, currently at Napoli, and Sean D’Amico of Atalanta. Both candidates are currently under contract with their respective clubs, meaning Roma will need to negotiate release clauses or compensation packages to secure their services. Gasperini reportedly has a strong preference for D’Amico, with whom he enjoyed a successful partnership at Atalanta, culminating in their Europa League triumph. The pair previously worked together to build the squad that achieved European success, making D’Amico a leading candidate for the position. The coming weeks are expected to provide further clarity on the situation as Roma progresses in its search for a new sporting director.
