Roma’s Senior Advisor Claudio Ranieri Set to Depart After Rift with Manager Gian Piero Gasperini
April 24, 2026 – Claudio Ranieri, Roma’s senior advisor and former head coach, is preparing to leave the club following an irreparable breakdown in relations with manager Gian Piero Gasperini, according to multiple Italian sports outlets.
The decision comes after prolonged tensions between the two figures, which intensified during the January transfer window and reportedly centered on disagreements over player management, medical staff, and communication style. Both Ranieri and Gasperini presented the club’s ownership with an either-or scenario, ultimately leading the Friedkin family to back the manager.
Sources confirm that Ranieri discussed the legal and financial details of his exit in a remote meeting with club owners Dan and Ryan Friedkin on Thursday. He will depart with a contract running until 2027 and an annual salary of €1.5 million still on the table.
Ranieri had taken on the advisory role last year after concluding his storied coaching career. Despite his efforts to mediate and defend club staff during Gasperini’s public critiques, the relationship deteriorated rapidly. Director Frederic Massara is also said to be facing increased scrutiny amid the fallout.
The veteran Italian, who previously turned down the Italy national team job to avoid a conflict of interest with Roma, is reportedly being considered for a position within the modern federal football structure due to his close ties with presidential candidate Giovanni Malagò.
While no official announcement has been made, Ranieri is believed to have already indicated his intention to step down publicly a few weeks ago following a televised exchange with Gasperini. Sky Sport and other outlets have confirmed the growing likelihood of his departure.
The club’s recent second-half decline in form has further exacerbated internal tensions, with several executives reportedly caught in the crossfire. As Roma prepares for the upcoming season, the exit of Ranieri — and potentially Massara — signals a significant shift in the club’s hierarchy under Gasperini’s leadership.
