Gian Piero Gasperini has been handed significant control over AS Roma's sporting future, with the club's owners, the Friedkin Group, empowering the head coach following the departure of senior advisor Claudio Ranieri. According to reports from Italy, Gasperini's strengthened position is expected to lead to the exit of sporting director Ricky Massara, with whom the coach has reportedly had a strained working relationship. The shift in power signals a major restructuring of the club's hierarchy just months into Gasperini's tenure.
This consolidation of authority became evident following Ranieri's exit, a move interpreted as the ownership siding decisively with Gasperini in any previous internal disputes. The coach had previously been evasive about his relationship with Massara but, after Ranieri's departure, he stated publicly that while Massara was a "very good person," there was no "feeling on a technical level." He emphasized that a sporting director and coach "should work as a pair," a clear message to the ownership about the need for alignment.
As a result, Roma are expected to seek a new sporting director whose vision aligns more closely with Gasperini's football philosophy. Beyond personnel changes in the front office, Gasperini's expanded remit will grant him a decisive voice in several key areas. He is set to have considerable influence over player contract renewals, decisions on the current squad, and even the composition of the medical staff, the latter being a significant point of contention during Ranieri's time at the club.
Gasperini's vision for the squad is reportedly one of evolution rather than revolution. Contrary to Ranieri's more cautious approach, which balanced sporting ambition with the club's financial constraints, Gasperini has consistently argued that the team does not need a complete overhaul. He has already advised the club to secure the futures of key players like Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala, while also identifying which squad members are deemed indispensable and which could be sold. Furthermore, he is set to outline specific positions where the team requires reinforcement in the upcoming transfer window.
This grant of "wide powers" represents both a promotion and a considerable responsibility for Gasperini. The Friedkin Group has effectively entrusted him with steering Roma's growth trajectory. While this offers him the control many managers desire, it also centralizes accountability; should results falter, scrutiny will fall squarely on the coach's decisions and leadership. The coming months will test this new structure as Roma looks to build a sustainable challenge at the top of Serie A.
