Roma have announced the mutual termination of their contract with Sporting Director Frederic Massara, less than a year after his return to the club. The announcement, made via an official club statement, brings an end to a period marked by reported disagreements with manager Gian Piero Gasperini. Roma thanked Massara for his professionalism, dedication, and contribution, notably highlighting the achievement of Champions League qualification.
Massara’s departure comes after a turbulent season where his relationship with Gasperini deteriorated, stemming from differing approaches to the transfer market. According to reports, Gasperini felt Massara was too cautious in pursuing reinforcements, particularly in attack, while Massara cited the constraints of financial fair play and the distance of the ownership group as complicating factors. The club will soon announce Tony D’Amico as his replacement.
Sources indicate tensions first surfaced during last summer’s transfer window, with disagreements over the signings of Jadon Sancho and Fabio Silva. These disputes continued in January with targets like Raspadori and Zirkzee. Gasperini publicly stated in April that while he held Massara in high regard personally, they lacked “feeling” on technical matters, emphasizing that any disagreements were always focused on the team’s needs.
A particularly telling incident occurred after a 1-0 defeat to Atalanta in January. Gasperini reportedly refused to board the team bus after spotting Massara on board, opting to take a taxi to the airport instead, a move interpreted as a clear demonstration of his frustration. Further friction arose following a victory over Lecce in March, when Gasperini skipped the post-match press conference, reportedly angered by Massara’s comments regarding injuries, particularly those concerning Paulo Dybala.
Massara previously held a role at Roma during the club’s ownership under James Pallotta, and his return last June was intended to stabilize the sporting direction following the departure of Ghisolfi. Despite the strained relationship with Gasperini, he did oversee the renewal of Dybala’s contract. The departure of Massara signals a clear shift in Roma’s leadership structure and allows Gasperini to reshape the club’s transfer strategy as they prepare for a return to the Champions League.
