Ranieri: I will stand next to Gasperini like a friend and I will do my best to help if there is an emergency.

Roma held its first press conference for the new coach Gasperini. Ranieri attended the meeting as the club's consultant. The following is the transcript of Ranieri's Q&A.

Opening remark

"Good morning, when I said Gasperini was not on the shortlist, you said I was lying. I contacted him and he said, 'Why not?'... But he was not the ultimate goal at the time. Later, the Friedkins chose him because he had always performed well. He could change the qualities of the players. Gasperini knew the difficulties of the transfer market, so we said it took time. He was hired to start a project that would bear fruit. He was strong, straightforward and spoke directly. I understand your media work, it was not easy, you were excellent. Now you will ask who the new sports director is. Gian Piero, thank you."

What is the news about the new sports director?

"There are several candidates and the club will make the best choice."

How is your relationship with Gasperini?

"He also made me feel difficult to get along with at first, and I told him bluntly. Among the many candidates, I mentioned his name: Rome needs a strong and progressive figure. It won't be easy, so we give him a year to prove himself. It requires patience. I will be like a friend standing by, and if there is an emergency, I will try my best to help solve it." What is the negotiation process like?

"We were on the phone and he was very open. After the season, we contacted again. Meet in Fiorentina... It was already public. We quickly established a tacit understanding, he was full of motivation and enthusiasm. I was happy and satisfied. It took hard work and the team's mentality needed to change. I motivate the players like a big brother and didn't blame anyone. Some players responded well, others didn't. It was part of the job. The players wanted someone as straightforward as Gasperini."

What are you looking forward to in three years?

"Go to the Champions League, then the league championship. But now we are still at the starting point, at a new beginning. The Friedkins have invested a lot, and they want to continue to invest. They are advancing new stadium projects. Our goal is to push the Rome brand to the top. This makes us passionate."

What do you have for Gasperini?

"Be himself...Pelcassi (Chairman of Atlanta) still demands relegation in the fourth year, we have a higher starting point, we hope he will perform well. Fans will agree with him, but it will take time. If we enter the Champions League, we will face all the strong teams, and we are not ready. But we are full of fighting spirit for the Europa League. I hope to have a wonderful journey. To unite and have the awareness of endurance even when encountering setbacks. I told Gasperini that fans want to see a team that fights even if they lose."

What do you think about the national team?

"I have said everything I should say. I respect Italy, but I belong to Rome."

Regarding Svilal's contract renewal?

"This is handled in full by Ji Sophie. I just called the guy and said we could do a good job. He is as ambitious as we do, and I just did that."

What is the explanation for the Financial Fairness Act?

"There are some restrictions that we must comply with, but I believe we can do it. Starting from 2026, we can operate more calmly. I am very confident that the next two transfer windows will need to grit our teeth and persevere. Some teams spend a lot of money on young players, but we cannot do it. We must do our best, which is also the current situation of Italian football." What is the best structure for the management of the club?

"I don't know if I will join others. At the football level, the foundation is already there, and the new sports director is about to be in place. Other aspects are not something I can decide."