Roma appoints Mattia Scala as youngest Primavera coach in club history

Mattia Scala, 32, has been appointed head coach of AS Roma's Primavera side, becoming the youngest in the club's history and the fourth-youngest in Italian football. Scala's rise comes after success across Roma's youth academy categories, including winning the Scudetto with the Under 15 in 2024. He has previously coached the Under 14, Under 16, and Under 18 teams, earning interest from Parma and Fiorentina. The appointment was made by Massimo Margiotta, Roma's new youth sector director, and had been considered by Bruno Conti before his departure. Scala is the son of Vito Scala, the longtime fitness coach and consultant to Francesco Totti who now works as a club executive—though this connection did not drive his promotion. The new Primavera coach grew up at Trigoria, where Totti brought him into the dressing room at age seven after winning the Scudetto, alongside influences from Daniele De Rossi and Bruno Conti. Gaetano D'Agostino, a former Roma player and Italian champion in 2001, will serve as his assistant. Roma's Primavera will compete in the Youth League for the first time in seven years under Scala's leadership. The appointment signals the Friedkin Group's intention to establish an Under 23 team within a couple of seasons.

Roma's summer transfer strategy is being shaped by the tension between head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's technical ambitions and the club's commitment to financial discipline. Director Tony D'Amico is navigating this balance, evaluating each move carefully to avoid repeating past budget mismanagement. Diego Moreira is central to Roma's plans, with Gasperini keen on the midfielder's tactical versatility to bolster the flanks alongside Wesley. However, Strasbourg's asking price is deemed too high, and if negotiations don't yield flexibility, Roma may pursue less expensive targets. Elsewhere, Alejandro Garnacho remains under monitoring despite Chelsea's economic demands appearing beyond reach for Roma's proposed loan-with-option-to-buy formula. Nicolò Tresoldi is a concrete attacking target, with Roma attempting to lower Club Brugge's valuation to pair him with Donyell Malen. On the contract front, renewals for Paulo Dybala and Zeki Çelik are settled. Lorenzo Pellegrini's extension talks are progressing, though both parties must bridge a modest wage gap while Pellegrini recovers fully from recent injury before resuming full training.

Ryan Friedkin is returning to Trigoria after two months away, signalling an acceleration in Roma's summer transfer activity. His arrival will trigger a series of operational meetings aimed at converting strategic ideas into concrete decisions. The ownership is preparing to intervene on several open dossiers and back head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's ambitions alongside Tony D'Amico's vision during a critical phase of squad planning. The club's agenda is crowded with priorities. Contract renewals for Lorenzo Pellegrini and Zeki Çelik are considered essential to securing the dressing room. However, the main focus is reinforcing the attacking wide positions, where Roma is working intensively on two fronts. The Diego Moreira pursuit is currently the hottest track: Roma is attempting to bridge the financial gap with Strasbourg by offering approximately €40 million including bonuses, while proposing a significantly more sustainable wage package for the player than other available options. The Alejandro Garnacho negotiation is more complex, with Chelsea refusing a loan with option to buy and insisting on a permanent €55 million sale. Despite strong foreign competition, Roma remains actively engaged thanks to the Argentine's firm desire to join. Garnacho sees Italian football and his friendship with Paulo Dybala as the ideal opportunity to revitalise his career and become a key player at a passionate club.