Ranieri away from Roma: the Friedkins are with Gasperini

Now it’s really over. Despite the reassurances of recent days, the desire to move forward together and the certainty of having a “trusted guide” on whom we can count, as put in black and white in the press release of 7 June (when Gian Piero Gasperini’s arrival in the Giallorossi was made official). Nothing, everything finished, everything evaporated in the space of just ten months. In fact, Claudio Ranieri’s adventure as senior advisor to the Friedkins lasted that long, with the Giallorossi owners yesterday deciding to terminate the relationship with their personal advisor. A relationship born at the beginning of last summer, in fact, immediately after the end of his third adventure in the Giallorossi as coach. But, above all, a relationship that was to carry Rome into the new era, that of the centenary. Ranieri, in fact, had a contract until 30 June 2027, but that contract will not come to an end.

the day

—

Yesterday was a long day in Trigoria and beyond. In fact, Ranieri himself took part in the City of Rome award during the morning. Speaking as a Giallorossi manager, as he had done before Roma-Pisa on 10 April. “The boys are giving everything, we expect the best – his words in the CONI hall of honor – So come on Roma always and whatever happens. And everyone united for a single purpose”. Phrases that foreshadowed anything but an imminent fracture. Especially then because in recent days the Friedkins had confirmed their full trust in the manager. And instead yesterday, compatibly with the American time zone, the earthquake struck during the early hours of the afternoon, after the situation had worsened during the Italian night between Wednesday and Thursday. Ranieri was then summoned to Trigoria and informed of the ownership’s decision. Claudio, among other things, is not a man to remain in spite of the saints, he has a pride, a history and a personal dignity that should not be soiled. And in fact yesterday we also talked about this, about how not to “scratch” Sir Claudio’s image on a public level. The lawyers got to work (also to resolve the economic issues), the Friedkins relied on their trusted man in Trigoria (Ed Shipley) and for many hours they waited for an official statement which then never arrived. And which – barring sensational twists – will arrive today, perhaps already in the early hours of the morning (as for De Rossi, for example). We will talk about a consensual choice, even if in fact it was unilateral.

after Pisa

—

Ranieri ended up on the defendants’ pitch after the pre-Pisa interviews, when he said: “It’s easy to talk only about Wesley and Malen, but all the signings were shared with the coach”, to respond to Gasp’s criticism of the day before. Then he added: “Three coaches told us no, so the club chose Gasperini.” Phrases which obviously did not go down well with Gasperini, who replied between the lines: “Our fans don’t deserve this little show. But don’t put us on the same level, because I neither replied nor attacked”. It was only the latest friction between the two, with the Friedkins trying to mend the rift, hoping if not for peace at least for a truce. And during these attempts they showed full trust in both contenders, although aware that the two could no longer work together. Then the decision. Improvise.

Massara and the others

—

Frederic Massara, Roma’s sporting director, will most likely also leave with Ranieri, someone who has never gotten along with Gasperini. Massara has held out so far with the certainty of at least having Ranieri by his side. Now the scenario is different and, despite a contract until 2028, his fate seems sealed. Gasp would like to work with Giuntoli, who however aims to go abroad. And then the possible replacements could be D’Amico (Atalanta) and Sogliano (Verona), two who have already worked with the Giallorossi coach (even if the radio market speaks of an interest in Manna from Napoli). DS aside, we will then also need to get our hands on the medical staff and a large part of the technical staff, all men who reported to Ranieri. And which the manager most likely defended until the end (and perhaps the breakdown came precisely on this issue here). In short, yet another revolution in sight in Trigoria.