Roma in contact with Gasperini through Ranieri text message

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Peter Young | Last updated Feb 26, 2025 5:05 AM ET

Roma have already been in contact with Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini to sound out his availability ahead of the summer, and details emerging on Wednesday claim that Claudio Ranieri has already been in touch with his potential successor via text message.

Roma are on the lookout for a permanent head coach for the 2025-26 season. Ranieri is currently serving as caretaker and will move into a director role at the Stadio Olimpico at the end of the 2024-25 campaign. Aside from his business on the pitch, choosing his own replacement is among Ranieri’s most pressing tasks.

Atalanta’s Gasperini is starting to emerge as a firm favourite for the Roma job in the summer. The 67-year-old has been with La Dea for just short of nine full seasons now, and despite winning the Europa League last season and still being in contention for the Serie A title this term, his time in Bergamo could be coming to an end.

Why Gasperini could leave Atalanta for Roma

Part of the reason why Gasperini could leave Atalanta is due to a recent falling out with reigning African Player of the Year Ademola Lookman, which has cause a slight rift with the club’s owners.

Gasp and Lookman have had a delicate relationship since the summer, but it all came to blows when the coach labelled his player “one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen,” after Atalanta’s exit from the Champions League last week.

Lookman responded with a statement labelling the coach’s remarks “hurtful and deeply disrespectful,” and then showed his value to the team with a brace in the 5-0 win over Empoli in Serie A over the weekend.

The back-and-forth between the coach and his player did not impress the Atalanta board, however, as they see Lookman as a valuable member of the team on the pitch and an important part of the club’s brand and identity, particularly abroad.

Gasperini linked with Roma job after Ranieri text

Gasperini has already confirmed himself that he will not sign a new contract extension with Atalanta. His deal is due to expire at the end of next season, in the summer of 2026. He has recently added that he could potentially leave at the end of the current season, before his contract expires.

Atalanta CEO Luca Percassi has also confirmed that the club will not stand in his way if Gasperini decides to leave at the end of the current season.

Reports earlier in the week claimed that Roma have already sounded out Gasperini’s availability for a potential appointment at the Stadio Olimpico in the summer.

Reports on Wednesday from Calciomercato.com add that Ranieri has been in contact with Gasperini via text message.

Wednesday’s report adds that Ranieri has ‘lots of respect’ for Gasperini, and states that the text contact has helped the Roma boss understand his colleague’s intentions ahead of the summer.

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

More must-reads: