Roma consultant Claudio Ranieri and coach Gian Piero Gasperini traded verbal barbs before and after the Pisa game, where the Giallorossi had their first truly excellent display in a while. The tension between the front office and the technical staff has been simmering all season long because of some divergencies on the transfer market. It appears to have come to a head as the team dipped.
According to Il Messaggero, owner Dan Friedkin will intervene to broker a truce, at least publicly, between the two components. On the other hand, he’ll most likely have to pick a side at the end of the season.
Ranieri has decided to side with Roma director Frederic Massara, who has been routinely targeted by Gasperini, saying that every acquisition was co-signed by the boss, and not just the successful ones, like Donyell Malen and Wesley. He also implied that the former Atalanta gaffer wasn’t their first choice last year.
The front office has started compiling a shortlist of replacements for the boss, should they emerge victorious. It comprises Daniele De Rossi, Vincenzo Italiano, and Ernesto Valverde. Conversely, the governors are considering ex-Juventus official Cristiano Giuntoli and current Verona exec Sean Sogliano, should they stick with the tactician, La Gazzetta dello Sport relays.
Things must be really ugly behind the scenes if a savvy, meek character like the latter felt the urge to speak out and defend his colleague’s work. Surely the coach has done all he could verbally to avoid being scapegoated. He has a better track record and has been in town for less time, which should tip the scale in his favor.
