Gasperini and Ranieri: From Initial Enthusiasm to Tension

José Mourinho has been officially appointed as head coach of Real Madrid after the club paid a €15 million release clause to Benfica. This represents a return to the Spanish club for Mourinho, who previously managed Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013. The deal was finalized following several days of negotiations, with Mourinho having already given his consent to the move. Mourinho's departure marks the end of his time at AS Roma, where he spent two and a half years in charge. During his tenure at the Stadio Olimpico, he guided the club to the UEFA Europa Conference League title in 2022 and maintained a strong connection with the fanbase. His appointment at Real Madrid represents a significant move in European football, reuniting him with one of the continent's elite clubs. Benfica released an official statement confirming the transfer: "Real Madrid has formally expressed its intention to hire José Mourinho for a sum equal to €15 million, with the coach having already given his consent. Thank you, José Mourinho." The managerial change at Roma comes as the club continues to develop under new leadership, with Gian Piero Gasperini currently at the helm.

AS Roma has a new pre-season fixture confirmed for their summer preparation. French club Cannes will host the Giallorossi on Sunday, 26 July in an official pre-season friendly. Cannes announced the match through their official channels and website, with the fixture serving as an important test for Roma ahead of the new season. The friendly represents part of Roma's broader pre-season schedule as the club prepares for the upcoming campaign. The match will take place at Cannes' facilities and offers Gasperini's squad an opportunity to build match fitness and tactical understanding during the summer break. Such pre-season encounters are typically used to assess squad condition and test new tactical approaches before competitive play resumes. The fixture was officially confirmed by Cannes on 9 June 2026 through their social media and official website.

Roma have confirmed a pre-season friendly against Cannes on 26 July at home. Both clubs are owned by the Friedkin Group. The Giallorossi declined a proposed friendly at Newcastle's St James' Park but will face Borussia Dortmund on 15 August, a week before Serie A begins. Coach Gasperini's squad is taking shape ahead of the new campaign. In the transfer market, Roma continue to monitor Mason Greenwood's situation. The English forward will leave Marseille, and Fenerbahçe remain interested despite their recent election result. The club's new president, Aziz Yildirim, stated: "If Greenwood will be useful to us, we will take him. We will review the squad construction with our committee and make a decision." The Friedkin Group is also considering extending Roma's financial settlement agreement to manage fair play compliance. Additionally, Roma are following developments around Aseko and Favasuli in the market. Midfielder Robinio Vaz, born in 2007, may leave on loan, with Roma open to discussions. Details on other targets remain unclear at this stage.