Ranieri Present but Not Shown on Olimpico Screens: The Reason

Rudi Garcia, former Roma manager and current Belgium coach, has spoken about his relationship with midfielder Radja Nainggolan during his time at the club. In an interview with Belgian newspaper Nieuwsblad, Garcia praised Nainggolan's abilities: "Radja, what a player. Rarely have I seen a footballer with such an incredible shot, such high athleticism and such rapid recovery capacity." Garcia acknowledged Nainggolan's unprofessional lifestyle, saying: "Yes, of course I knew that Radja smoked. But as long as he performed on the pitch, I didn't care." Garcia reflected on Nainggolan's impact during Roma's title challenges, noting that the midfielder arrived to strengthen the squad after Kevin Strootman's injury, joining established midfield figures Miralem Pjanic and Daniele De Rossi. The manager highlighted Nainggolan's paradox—his carefree approach was simultaneously a weakness and a strength, allowing him to play with natural spontaneity that generated significant impact on the pitch. Garcia also referenced comparable situations at other clubs, mentioning a goalkeeper at Roma—later identified as Wojciech Szczesny at Arsenal—who smoked in the dressing room in England. The former coach's comments underscore a pragmatic approach to player management, prioritizing on-field performance over strict behavioral control.

Roma announced Gian Piero Gasperini as head coach on 6 June 2025, marking the start of his first season in charge. The club achieved Champions League qualification, with El Shaarawy among the goal scorers during the campaign. Gasperini's appointment came following the departure of Claudio Ranieri, who had managed the club in the 2024–25 season. The 'condottiero' (commander) has guided Roma towards European football's elite competition in his inaugural year, fulfilling a key objective for the Friedkin Group ownership.

Roma's fixture calendar for the 2024–25 season presents a complex overlap between Serie A and Champions League commitments. The Giallorossi begin their league campaign on 22–23 August against Fiorentina at the Olimpico, with Champions League action starting in September. The first Champions fixture (8–10 September) falls between league matches against Atalanta and Torino, setting the tone for a demanding campaign. Key fixture congestion occurs throughout the season. Roma face Atalanta on 6 September before their Champions League opener, followed by Torino on 13 September. The second Champions round (13–14 October) bookends matches against Como and Genoa, while the third week (20–21 October) sits between Roma–Genoa and Napoli–Roma. Later fixtures include the fifth Champions matchday (24–25 November) sandwiched between Parma and Monza encounters, and a notably tight sixth Champions round (8–9 December) positioned between Bologna away and the Derby della Capitale against Lazio on 13 December. January continues the pattern with two Champions matches: one on 18–19 January after Atalanta away and before Roma–Udinese, and the final group-stage fixture on 27 January following the Udinese clash. The condensed schedule requires careful squad rotation and tactical preparation across both competitions.

Roma have appointed Tony D'Amico as their new sporting director following the departure of Frederic Massara, who left amid a dispute with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. D'Amico and Gasperini previously worked together at Atalanta. The club has already secured Donyell Malen on a permanent deal and extended Mario Hermoso's contract as part of their summer activity. With Financial Fair Play obligations to meet, Roma's primary focus will be strengthening their attacking options. Mason Greenwood of Olympique Marseille is a key target, though his fee could reach approximately €50 million. Greenwood has scored 48 goals and provided 17 assists in 81 appearances for Marseille. Roma are also monitoring RB Leipzig's Antonio Nusa and West Ham's Crysencio Summerville, though no concrete moves have been made for either. The club does not view acquiring another centre-forward as a pressing priority. Matías Soulé may be sold to a Premier League club as part of Roma's financial planning, while the club will consider offers for midfielder Manu Koné and defender Evan N'Dicka. Losing Soulé could be offset by landing a marquee forward, though Roma's willingness to spend heavily on a single player remains unclear.

Donyell Malen has signed a contract extension at AS Roma through 2030, with fellow defender Hermoso also agreeing fresh terms. The renewals form part of the club's squad planning as Roma prepares for the Coppa Italia competition. Both players represent important components of Gian Piero Gasperini's squad rotation strategy. The contract extensions signal Roma's commitment to building continuity in defence and attack during a pivotal period under the current coaching regime.

Roma has completed the permanent acquisition of Donyell Malen and secured a contract renewal for Hermoso as part of efforts to strengthen the squad under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The club is operating with the ambition and efficiency expected of a Champions League side, moving quickly to finalize key decisions rather than delaying announcements. Both signings represent a commitment to building a competitive foundation for European football. The final piece in this consolidation phase is Paulo Dybala's contract extension. Although not yet official, negotiations are progressing and an agreement is expected soon. Roma is working toward a renewal that would keep Dybala at the club until 2027, giving the Argentine forward another year to compete at the highest level. The renewal has been described as important for the overall project, as it would complete the strengthening of the squad's core before Roma pursues additional reinforcements. Details of the timing and specific terms remain unclear, but a meeting to finalize Dybala's extension is anticipated in the coming days. The club's swift action on Malen and Hermoso signals a new approach under the Friedkin Group ownership, prioritizing clear planning and immediate execution to establish Roma as a genuine Champions League contender.