Ghisolfi: ‘Roma turned down many Soule’ offers, no rush for new coach’ | OneFootball

Roma director Florent Ghisolfi confirms the club turned down ‘many offers’ for Matias Soulè and are prepared to take all the time they need to choose a new coach. ‘We want to make the right choice.’

The match with Como kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 17.00 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s Serie A games on the Liveblog.

The Giallorossi are unbeaten in Serie A since the last time they faced Como, losing 2-0 back on December 15.

That defeat proved a turning point in their campaign, followed by seven victories and three draws in the league, as well as qualification for the Europa League last 16.

With Artem Dovbyk still not fully fit, Roma have chosen Soulè in an unexpected wide right role, with Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala supporting Eldor Shomurodov.

“It is true, we received many offers for Soulè, but we believe in him,” Ghisolfi told Sky Sport Italia.

“Mati is an important player for the club, he did well in recent matches and I hope he will do even better today. He has enormous potential, Roma is not an easy place for young players, but one step at a time he can grow here.”

Ghisolfi looks to Roma present and future

epa11699405 AS Roma’s Matias Soule (L) celebrates after scoring the 1-1 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match Hellas Verona vs AS Roma at Marcantonio Bentegodi stadium in Verona, Italy, 03 November 2024. EPA-EFE/Emanuele Pennnacchio

Goalkeeper Mile Svilar and midfielder Leandro Paredes are expected to sign new contracts soon, after Niccolò Pisilli put pen to paper last month.

“We want to go forward with them both, but I don’t like talking about individuals just before such an important game. It is going to be very difficult and we must all be concentrated on that.”

Inevitably, the questions will always be around the future for Roma, where Claudio Ranieri is set to go back into retirement and they therefore need a new coach. Is there a deadline or are they ready to take their time?

“We are in no rush. We have time, we want to make the right choice and also stay focused on the present,” replied Ghisolfi.

“We have always been transparent on this issue, there is nothing new to report today.”

Roma are climbing up the Serie A standings after a disastrous start and also preparing for Thursday’s Europa League Round of 16 tie against Athletic Club Bilbao. Will European qualification dictate their plans for next season?

“The final table will obviously be important to budget for next season. We are in two competitions and want to let nothing go. We’ll try to do our best.”