Koné: ‘Roma one of the few teams that believed in me’

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Lorenzo Bettoni | Last updated Sep 8, 2025 6:24 AM ET

Roma midfielder Manu Koné is excited to play under ‘experienced’ Gian Piero Gasperini at Roma and feels the Giallorossi were ‘one of the few clubs’ to believe in him last summer.

Koné has just begun his second season at the Stadio Olimpico.

The Roma midfielder spoke about his time at the club while on international duty with the France national team.

“My first season at Roma went really well,” Koné said via TMW.

“I am very happy to play for this club, which has given me great confidence. I’m not afraid to say it: it was one of the few teams that believed in me during the transfer window, when there were also the Olympics, and they signed me.”

Koné joined Roma in the 2024 summer transfer window, completing a permanent €18m transfer from Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Koné ‘repaid’ Roma’s trust

“I repaid this trust with my performances and my commitment to the team. I’m very happy,” the midfielder continued.

“We can say it was an intense season. We may have missed out on the Champions League qualification, but we will play in the Europa League. This year, we have a new coach, and I hope we can do even better, with a very experienced manager who can take us higher and help me grow. This is really important.”

Roma’s strong start under Gasperini

Roma started the new Serie A season with back-to-back victories against Bologna and Pisa.

The Giallorossi hired Gasperini to replace Claudio Ranieri earlier this summer, with the ex-Leicester City coach remaining at the club as an advisor to the owners.

Koné, 24, has two goals and three assists in 47 appearances across all competitions with Roma. His contract with the Giallorossi runs out in June 2029.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: