AS Roma enters a new era with Gian Piero Gasperini at the helm, but the transition is unique, marked by the continued presence and influence of Claudio Ranieri. In an unusual arrangement, Ranieri, who previously served as Roma's head coach, will now act as a senior advisor to the ownership, offering his expertise and guidance to Gasperini. This setup effectively gives Roma two experienced coaches, with Ranieri's wisdom complementing Gasperini's tactical prowess.
The appointment of Gasperini comes after Ranieri's successful spell, where he steered the team through a complicated period and secured a fifth-place finish in Serie A, earning them a spot in the Europa League. Ranieri's transition to an advisory role was his decision, stating that his continued presence as head coach would be a waste of time. He believes that Gasperini is the right man to build upon the foundation laid this season and lead Roma to further success, citing Gasperini's extensive experience and proven track record in Serie A.
Gasperini's coaching career began at Juventus, where he coached the youth team before moving to Crotone. He later managed Genoa, leading them to promotion to Serie A and a fifth-place finish, their highest in 19 years, securing a UEFA Europa League spot. His most notable success came during his nine-year tenure at Atalanta, where he developed a revolutionary style of football and transformed the team into a top Serie A contender, consistently qualifying for the Champions League and winning the UEFA Europa League in 2024.
Ranieri played a key role in bringing Gasperini to Roma, contacting him and gauging his interest in the position. He described Gasperini as "super motivated" and "super enthusiastic" about the project at Roma. At Gasperini's introductory press conference, Ranieri emphasized the need for Roma to have a strong personality who is always striving for improvement. He also urged the fans to support Gasperini, acknowledging that Gasperini can be "unpleasant", but that it is what Roma needs to achieve greatness.
Gasperini expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity, stating his desire to "raise the level" of the team and "take the club higher." He acknowledged the challenges ahead but expressed confidence in the owners' commitment to invest in the team and take Roma to the top. He also addressed concerns about the environment in Rome, emphasizing the need to channel the enthusiasm and desire for good football in a positive direction.
Gasperini's preferred playing system is a progressive style characterized by movement off the ball, interchangeability of positions, and strong individual duels. He typically employs a 3-3-3-1 formation, which he adapts to suit his footballing philosophy and the needs of the team, sometimes shifting to a 3-4-1-2 or 3-4-2-1. He demands that everyone pushes in the same direction, emphasizing the importance of the team over individual personalities.
The arrangement of having two coaches, with Ranieri advising Gasperini, is a unique one, it remains to be seen how this setup will work in practice, but the combination of Gasperini's tactical expertise and Ranieri's experience and knowledge of the club could prove to be a valuable asset for Roma as they look to compete at the highest level.
