Wesley shows off cooking skills with a viral carbonara recipe

AS Roma continues its search for a new sporting director ahead of the upcoming season. The club is evaluating several candidates for the role, with Pradè reportedly back in consideration as a possible successor to Massara. Details of the evaluation process and timeline remain unclear, though the Giallorossi are focused on identifying the right candidate to lead the club's sporting operations moving forward.

Several AS Roma players have endured inconsistent seasons and are awaiting clarity on their futures under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The club remains without concrete plans for the coming transfer window, while Gasperini seeks to establish his technical direction with the ownership and is waiting for a new sporting director to replace Ricky Massara. The coach is reluctant to part with key squad members who have earned his trust but plans targeted additions—between two and four players, preferably three starters—of high quality only. Four players in particular occupy uncertain positions. Polish central defender Jan Ziolkowski showed promise early but has since disappeared from the pitch, leading Roma to consider a sale that could yield a €20 million profit, with interest reportedly coming from Germany and England. Spanish left-back Angelino had a physically troubled season and remains a candidate for departure. Midfielder Neil El Aynaoui performed well until the Africa Cup of Nations but has struggled since returning from Morocco, making his future unclear despite Roma's significant investment. Striker Artem Dovbyk endured a difficult campaign plagued by fitness issues and is expected to drop to reserve status following Donyell Malen's arrival, prompting another summer exit attempt. Meanwhile, Niccolò Pisilli has emerged as increasingly important and has seen his prospects transform accordingly. Gasperini's preference remains for low volume but high-calibre acquisitions, following frustrations with the previous recruitment strategy.

AS Roma are conducting a search to fill the vacant director of sport position for the upcoming season. Giovanni Manna is reportedly the leading candidate, though the club is reviewing several profiles. The role has become available as Ricky Massara's tenure comes to an end, with reports indicating a breakdown in his relationship with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Other names under consideration include D'Amico, Giuntoli, Sogliano, and Paratici. Additionally, Daniele Pradé—who recently departed Fiorentina—has emerged as a candidate. Pradé brings Roma-specific experience, having worked at the club in various roles between 2000 and 2011, including a previous spell as director of sport. The appointment of a new director of sport is expected to play a key role in shaping Roma's squad and strategic direction under Gasperini's management. The timeline for a decision remains unclear, though the club appears to be in active consultation with potential candidates.

Roma commentators and former players debated the club's direction and summer strategy on Roman radio stations. Piero Torri stated that head coach Gian Piero Gasperini considers the squad strong and has requested three signings to supplement Donyell Malen and Wesley. Torri said: "Gasperini considers this squad strong and asks for three signings alongside Malen and Wesley. If the Friedkins confirm their confidence and listen to Gasperini, there will be no revolution. Next season has already begun: who is planning it? D'Amico and Manna have ongoing contracts and must be freed up. Roma is not inferior to Juventus." Riccardo Trevisani acknowledged Roma's squad contains quality players but noted that replacements are less capable. Roberto Pruzzo highlighted the importance of alignment between Gasperini and the sporting directors, warning that disagreement over transfer strategy poses a significant risk. Nando Orsi referenced the American ownership model's approach to managerial changes, drawing parallels to the departures of Daniele De Rossi, José Mourinho, and Claudio Ranieri, describing it as a mindset unfamiliar to Italian football culture. Lorenzo Pes suggested Gasperini works with approximately 15 core players and needs 22–23 total. Players potentially departing include Mandas Ndicka and Mady Koné. Matías Soulé's status remains uncertain due to ongoing issues with pubalgia.

AS Roma is in advanced talks to appoint Tony D'Amico as its new sporting director. D'Amico, currently at Atalanta, worked closely with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini from 2022 to 2025, overseeing the club's rise to win the Europa League and reach a Coppa Italia final. Gasperini is reportedly keen to reunite with D'Amico, who has earned a reputation as an expert in maximizing player sales—most notably buying Rasmus Hojlund for €20 million and reselling him for €74 million. D'Amico has also successfully signed players including Mateo Retegui, Ederson, Yoane Wissa, and Adenuga Lookman during his time at Bergamo. D'Amico previously worked at Verona, where he identified talents such as Kumbulla, Rrahmani, Matteo Zaccagni, and Mohamed Amrabat. Though his relationship with Gasperini has occasionally been tense—including a disagreement over the 2024 summer transfer window regarding Wesley, who ultimately joined Roma—the pair are viewed as a winning combination that could stabilize the Giallorossi after recent managerial upheaval. D'Amico remains under contract with Atalanta until 2027, meaning the Friedkin Group will need to negotiate his release with the Bergamo club or consider alternative candidates including Sartori. The appointment would signal Roma's intent to strengthen its transfer strategy and align recruitment with Gasperini's tactical vision.

Roma's defensive solidity has returned as a key strength in their push toward fourth place and Champions League qualification. Following a 5-goal defeat to Inter on Easter Sunday at San Siro, Roma conceded only one goal across four subsequent Serie A matches, winning 3–0 against Pisa, drawing 1–1 with Atalanta, and earning victories of 2–0 at Bologna and 4–0 at home to Fiorentina. The defensive unit has also become a significant attacking threat: in the Roma–Fiorentina match, three of four goals came from defenders—Mancini, Wesley, and Hermoso, with Hermoso also providing an assist for Wesley's goal. Pisilli completed the scoring. Roma's home record is particularly impressive, conceding just ten goals in eighteen matches at Stadio Olimpico, averaging 0.55 per game—the lowest in Serie A. This defensive resilience is crucial as Roma chase Juventus, though they face an unfavourable head-to-head record against the Bianconeri. The upcoming Derby della Capitale against Lazio presents another test, though such matches often produce unpredictable outcomes. The team's recent compactness represents a dramatic turnaround from earlier struggles and mirrors the defensive stability Roma displayed at the start of the season.