Ghisolfi on Ranieri role, new Roma coach and Dovbyk potential | OneFootball

Roma director Florent Ghisolfi confirms Claudio Ranieri is helping them choose a new coach, while Artem Dovbyk is ‘only at 50 per cent of his potential’ going into the derby with Lazio.

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

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

This has been a very strange season in the Eternal City, because while Lazio were surging in the early months, it is Roma who are on sparkling form now, winning seven straight Serie A fixtures until the 1-1 draw with Juventus.

Now there are only two points separating these rivals in the table, putting even more pressure on what is always a passionate fixture.

Ranieri has the rare record of a 100 per cent record in the Derby della Capitale as Roma coach, winning all five of his previous editions, but from next season will be a senior advisor to the club.

Ghisolfi on future of Roma beyond Ranieri

UDINE, ITALY – JANUARY 26: Artem Dovbyk of AS Roma celebrates after scoring his team second goal during the Serie A match between Udinese and AS Roma at Stadio Friuli on January 26, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

“Claudio is doing a great job and next season will be a sporting counsellor, helpful for me and the club owners,” Ghisolfi told DAZN.

“He is a very important figure for the sporting project, we want to create a directorial board with coherence and stability, so we will be working together.”

Because Ranieri is determined to retire this summer, Roma are forced to find a new tactician and he is helping them narrow down the list.

“We are seeking a coach who will have the same passion for our project. The club’s centenary will be in 2027, we hope for the new stadium in 2028, so we want someone with passion who is on the same lines as Ranieri, me and the club owners,” added Ghisolfi.

“There are not many who fit the bill, so we evaluated some figures, and are trying to close in on a decision.”

Dovbyk leads the Roma attack this evening against Lazio and the director agrees that the Ukraine international has only shown glimpses of what he could do.

“I told Dovbyk, he is only at 50 per cent of his potential, so the day he gets to 80-90 per cent, he can be the best striker in Serie A for many years.”

Alexis Saelemaekers also starts after his suspension, but the Belgian is only on loan from Milan, with Roma eager to make it a permanent move.

“Saelemaekers is happy at Roma, we are pleased with him, so we too want to complete this transfer,” concluded Ghisolfi.