AS Roma’s manager Gian Piero Gasperini expressed his surprise on Friday at recent remarks from senior adviser Claudio Ranieri. He became visibly emotional while discussing his former club, Atalanta, whom he is set to face on Saturday.
Ranieri made a comeback from retirement last season to take the reins at Roma, guiding them from the lower end of the table to a commendable fifth-place finish before moving into his current advisory role. Gasperini departed Atalanta after a successful nine-year tenure to take over at Roma.
Ranieri, who was unhappy with Gasperini’s comments regarding the club’s transfer dealings, recently stated to DAZN that no player was added without the manager’s consent.
“I found it to be quite a shocking surprise, because there has never been, and I mean never, a different tone from me and Ranieri,” Gasperini told the media.
“From that point onwards, my focus was solely on two things: firstly, not to engage in any back-and-forth, and secondly, even if I found myself inadvertently caught up in it, to avoid causing any harm or trouble for the team.
“I wished I could have prevented all this, but it was beyond my control. Thus, as of today, I genuinely hope we can concentrate on football.”
No Excuses
Last season, Ranieri led Roma to just one point shy of Champions League qualification, while Gasperini’s side currently sits sixth in the league, three points behind fourth place.
“For me, the team, and the upcoming match, the impact is nil,” Gasperini stated. “We have aimed to focus purely on the technical aspects and the match itself; it is crucial for me to prevent any excuses or disruption for the squad or the supporters.”
Gasperini elaborated on the secrets behind his successful stint at Atalanta.
“The uniqueness of Atalanta was that for nine years, they competed in Europe and against top Italian and European sides while also turning a profit,” Gasperini noted.
“That was remarkable, not solely due to my efforts, of course, but significantly thanks to a club that worked exceptionally well in tandem with the coach.”
“Over time, that harmony shifted – partly due to changes in ownership, and partly because the figure I was particularly close to was no longer there.”
After expressing his feelings, a visibly emotional Gasperini stood up and exited the room.
Compiled by SportArena.au
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