Roma confirmed on Wednesday that Claudio Ranieri has left his position as senior advisor, thanking him for his significant contributions. The club expressed full confidence in the path forward under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, stating, "We have full confidence in the path forward under Gian Piero Gasperini, with the common goal of growing, improving and delivering results worthy of our history." Ranieri's exit marks the end of a second stint in a non-coaching role at the club he has supported since childhood.
Ranieri came out of retirement last year to coach Roma for the third time, leading the club to a fifth-placed finish in Serie A, according to reports. He stepped aside at the end of the campaign and became a senior advisor to Roma owner Daniel Friedkin, as reported. His return to Roma began in autumn 2024, when he took over as coach mid-season, according to sources. The 73-year-old Italian, who began his coaching career in 1986, has coached 18 clubs including Chelsea, Fulham and Watford, and is best known for masterminding Leicester City's shock Premier League title win in the 2015-16 season. Leicester's relegation to League One was confirmed in the same week as Ranieri's expected exit from Roma, according to reports.
According to reports in Italy, a rift between Gasperini and Ranieri has emerged in recent weeks. During an interview with DAZN, Ranieri suggested Gasperini had been the club's fourth choice candidate for the role, as reported. Ranieri claimed he had put forward 'five or six' names, but 'three of those didn't come', according to reports. He also issued a defence of the club's work in the transfer market, after Gasperini had appeared to agree with suggestions Roma had not sufficiently strengthened its squad, as reported. According to Daily Mail - Sport, Ranieri stressed that no player came in without Gasperini's approval. Ranieri stated that Gasperini's work with young players at Atalanta was a major factor behind his appointment, according to reports. According to Daily Mail - Sport, Ranieri said he is ready to step aside as senior advisor if not consulted. Reports have followed that Ranieri and Gasperini have since been ignoring each other at the club's training ground.
Gasperini was appointed as Roma head coach, with Ranieri among those who had a role in hiring him, according to reports. Ranieri's departure is seen as a victory for Gasperini, who now gets greater influence over the club's direction, according to sources. The exact timeline of Ranieri's departure relative to the reported ignoring each other at training remains unclear, as does whether Ranieri's comments about Gasperini being the fourth choice directly caused the rift.
Ranieri is a lifelong supporter of Roma, a fact that has endeared him to fans throughout his various roles at the club, according to reports. His coaching career began in 1986, and he has managed top clubs across Europe, including Chelsea, Fulham, Watford, and most notably Leicester City, where he led the team to an improbable Premier League title in 2016, as reported. That achievement remains one of the greatest underdog stories in sports history. Now, with his departure from Roma, it is uncertain whether Ranieri will take on a new role at another club or retire. The club, meanwhile, looks ahead under Gasperini's leadership, with Roma's statement emphasizing a clear direction and stable leadership.