Roma Scouting Bundesliga Talent as Summer Plans Take Shape

Roma are pressing to appoint a new sporting director, with the Friedkin Group determined to resolve the position. Manna is the primary target, though an alternative candidate has been identified. Details of the alternative option remain unclear. The appointment represents a key part of Roma's ongoing restructuring of their management hierarchy following recent changes in the coaching setup.

The Friedkin Group is actively pursuing Giovanni Manna, currently sporting director at Napoli, to become Roma's next sporting director. Dan Friedkin and Ryan Friedkin have personally engaged with Manna to convince him to move to Rome, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini pushing for the appointment. However, negotiations are complicated by Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis, who has no intention of releasing Manna and intends to enforce his contract. Manna and Gasperini already have a working relationship from discussions about a possible managerial move to Napoli during Atalanta's Europa League final period. Roma is seeking to resolve its sporting director position following Massara's departure. Should the Manna deal fall through, Tony D'Amico emerges as the primary alternative—he has previously worked with Gasperini at Atalanta and maintains a positive relationship with the coach. Cristiano Giuntoli, currently a free agent who previously considered Gasperini for a role at Juventus, also remains under consideration. The appointment of a new sporting director is viewed as urgent by the club as it shapes squad planning and recruitment strategy under Gasperini's new coaching tenure.

Roma commentators have weighed in on the club's transfer market activity and the relationship between coaching staff and sporting direction. According to the discussion, both the head coach and the sporting director have made correct and incorrect decisions in the market. One voice emphasized that the coach must engage in dialogue with the director to ensure alignment on squad building and strategy. The comments reflect ongoing scrutiny of Roma's transfer window approach and the need for coordination between key decision-makers at the club during what has been a significant period of change.