
Why the Friedkins chose Gasperini: the blueprint for profit-driven football
Gian Piero Gasperini's appointment as Roma head coach represents the Friedkin Group's ambition to replicate the success model he built at Atalanta. Under Gasperini's leadership, Atalanta generated over €750 million in player trading revenue between January 2017 and summer 2025, averaging €85 million per season while simultaneously climbing the Serie A table and winning the Europa League. The club's revenue quadrupled and profits surged during this period, transforming Atalanta from a mid-table side into a Champions League regular through methodical scouting and player management. The Friedkins appointed Gasperini as the ideal architect to finally deliver Champions League qualification—a target that has eluded their ownership since taking control in 2020—and to unlock Roma's player-trading potential. This appointment follows a turbulent 2024–25 season marked by managerial instability. Gasperini's track record demonstrates how systematic investment in recruitment, coupled with shrewd squad turnover, can generate financial returns while maintaining competitive strength. The recent squad decision at Roma's training ground went in Gasperini's favour, with the Friedkins issuing an official statement reaffirming their backing for the coach and signalling the end of Claudio Ranieri's association with the club.


