Everything Gasperini said during first Roma press conference: ‘Can’t win the Scudetto’ | OneFootball

Gian Piero Gasperini has given his first press conference as the new head coach of Roma, addressing a number of topics including his negotiations with Claudio Ranieri, and with Juventus, as well as his plans for the transfer market and opinions on the likes of Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Matias Soule.

Gasperini was appointed as head coach of Roma earlier in June, replacing Claudio Ranieri, who has since stepped into a directorship role and is also acting as a ‘senior advisor’ to the club’s ownership.

Ranieri, who was also involved in the hiring of his own coaching successor, joined Gasperini for his introductory press conference on Tuesday.

Gian Piero Gasperini is the new Roma coach

“I had my first contact with Claudio Ranieri, and he described to me the reality of this team and the club,” Gasperini said when describing Roma’s initial approach (via Sky Sport Italia).

He continued: “Then I met the owners, people who have a lot of passion and have ambitious projects that they have struggled to achieve so far.

“They want to create something strong and constructive with me, and we talked about it knowing what the financial fair play situation is. They want to invest in Roma, and do it well, in order to take Roma to the top.”

Gasperini: ‘Everyone warned me about Roma, I see a desire for good football’

“Ever since I arrived, everyone warned me about the situation at Roma, but this has to be a strength, not a weakness,” Gasperini insisted when asked about his goals and ambitions in the capital.

“They talk to me about pressure, but I see a desire for good football, and that energy has to be channelled. We can correct certain things and bring new energy to push us in the right direction.”

epa12094855 Roma�s coach Claudio Ranieri and Atalanta’s coach Gian Piero Gasperini smile as they pose ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Atalanta BC and AS Roma, in Bergamo, Italy, 12 May 2025. EPA-EFE/MICHELE MARAVIGLIA

“If Napoli has won two championships in three years, and Paris has become the capital of European football, it means that you can’t just get results in Milan or Turin.

“There’s no point in hiding, what matters is the results. We have to believe that we can do things well and raise the level.”

Gasperini went on to pay tribute to the work that Ranieri did during his spell as interim head coach, following the departure of Ivan Juric in November.

“Of course, I’m starting from the results that Claudio put in for the last 22 games. They were extraordinary, but it shows that what matters is the team. The same players who were having difficulty improved with a better team attitude.

“You can’t make plans for the next 10 years in a place like Roma, we have to be faster and be more concrete. But we have to start from our base and make the fans feel a sense of identity with the team’s game.”

Gasperini on Roma players incl. Dybala and Pellegrini

ROME, ITALY – APRIL 13: Paulo Dybala of AS Roma looks on as players of AS Roma warm up prior to the Serie A match between SS Lazio and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico on April 13, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Gasperini was asked for his opinions on a number of Giallorossi stars, including Paulo Dybala: “I don’t think I change things for him, because Dybala is fine like this,” he replied.

“I hope he’s always fit. There is a team point of view that must be well-defined, where everyone pushes in the same direction, and then there are some individuals, and if you can raise their level, then the whole team benefits.

“The players I’ve worked with were already strong. I didn’t improve them, but I got the best out of them. My strikers often score a lot of goals due to the way that I make the team play.”

On Pellegrini and Soule, Gasp said: “Pellegrini needs to have the spirit and mentality to have his best season. I like it when he comes on, shoots and scores. Soule is an offensive player, he has to get goals, assists, take penalties, get opponents booked.”

Gasperini lays out Roma goals and expectations for 2025-26

BERGAMO, ITALY – MAY 25: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of Atalanta, looks on prior to the Serie A match between Atalanta and Parma at Gewiss Stadium on May 25, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Gasperini expressed outright that he does not expect to challenge for the Serie A title next season, but insists that qualification to the Champions League is fundamental.

“The best result will be qualification to the Champions League. Right now, Roma can’t win the Scudetto, but you never know. For me, the goal is to make this team stronger, with more national and international players that we don’t have at the moment. We have to create a strong core and have continuity. That makes teams grow.”

Gasperini was also asked what, and who, needs to change ahead of the start of the 2025-26 campaign, to which he replied: “Let’s start with what is already there for the meantime, which is a lot.

“It’s also clear that we can’t be the same (as last year) and I expect the incoming market can lead to improvement. It will be a mix, not a revolution everywhere, but there will be new components to improve us.

“There are very few clubs that can afford to sign already-established players. You have to build them at home by signing players who are able to grow. I remember Mancini or Cristante, to name two that I had. They left Atalanta and got to the national team early.

“My players must aim to have the best season of their careers, if you are 22 years old or 30.”

Gasperini also admitted that there had been an approach from Juventus prior to his accepting the Roma job.

“Yes, but I had a feeling that this was the right path to take for my career, despite all the risks that people are always telling me about. It’s the right situation for me to be able to come in and make an impact. (Roma) is what I am looking for right now and I have a strong conviction that I made the right choice.”