ROME, ITALY – MARCH 22: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, looks on prior to the Serie A match between AS Roma and US Lecce at Stadio Olimpico on March 22, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Linnea Rheborg/Getty Images)
Gian Piero Gasperini addressed the Claudio Ranieri controversy head-on at his post-match press conference, firmly dismissing any suggestion of friction between the two men while insisting Roma are entirely focused on securing a Champions League place in the final six games of the season.
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Ranieri had spoken earlier in the day about having proposed five or six managerial names before Gasperini was appointed, with three ultimately declining, and that when it comes to suggestions, Ranieri follows the orders of the owners, not the coach.
Asked for his reaction, Gasperini was measured but clear.
“I have never had a disagreement with Ranieri, quite the opposite,” he said, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb.
“I gave two names for players I wanted, one arrived. I said we needed to work on the attacking department because we had lost several forwards, beyond that everything was fine. There was never any opposition between us. I have always focused on working.”
When pushed further on whether he felt out of step with the club’s direction, Gasperini’s response was characteristically blunt.
“Don’t joke with me. I am on a single track. I have six games to play, starting with a very strong opponent next. We are well positioned and at worst will be a point ahead of them.”
Roma 3-0 Pisa – Gasperini: ‘Malen is extraordinary’
He drew a direct parallel with his time at Atalanta, recalling the sensation of overtaking Roma in the table during those years as proof that he understands exactly the challenge ahead.
On Malen, whose hat-trick lit up the Olimpico, Gasperini was effusive, while also refreshingly honest about the fortuitous nature of the signing.
“Malen is extraordinary,” he said. “The key question was whether he could play as a centre-forward, and I got that right. He has the burst of pace, the ball control… we played against him in pre-season and when you see certain players you immediately know when someone is good.”
He added with a smile that he had no idea Malen was available to leave Aston Villa until two days before the deal was done, describing it as good fortune rather than any particular scouting genius on his part.