Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini chose a charity tennis and padel event in Bergamo to deliver a clear message about the Giallorossi’s future: the club is determined to build on its Champions League qualification, and that starts with holding onto its key men. Speaking to Sky Sport on the sidelines of the 50th anniversary of the Accademia dello Sport per la Solidarietà tournament, Gasperini addressed the swirling speculation around Paulo Dybala and Gianluca Mancini with characteristic directness.
The 2025-26 season saw Roma clinch a top-four finish under Gasperini’s stewardship, securing a return to Europe’s premier competition after a two-year absence. That achievement has raised expectations in the capital, where the Stadio Olimpico is consistently sold out and fans demand a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts. Gasperini acknowledged the weight of that passion: “We have the duty and the need to grow this team also for the fans,” he said, emphasizing that ambition must be matched by serious, attentive work in the transfer market.
Central to that growth is the retention of the so-called “zoccolo duro” — the hard core of players who fought until the final whistle to reach the Champions League places. “That group showed extraordinary desire and a sense of belonging,” Gasperini noted. “I would like to keep them all.” Yet the coach was pragmatic about the financial realities facing the club, admitting that “there are budget requirements” and that the challenge will be to keep the best performers while balancing the books.
One of the most delicate situations concerns Paulo Dybala. The Argentine forward, who joined Roma on a free transfer after leaving Juventus, has a contract that has been the subject of intense negotiation. Gasperini described the current state as a “moment of stalemate” but added that work is going on “behind the scenes” and that “everyone’s will is there.” While the coach did not reveal specifics, his words suggest that both the player and the club would like to continue together, yet the terms need to be agreed. Dybala’s importance cannot be overstated: his creativity and goals were pivotal in Roma’s push for fourth place, and losing him would leave a massive void in attack.
Even more forcefully, Gasperini shut down talk of captain Gianluca Mancini departing. With Inter reportedly interested in the Italy international, the coach’s response was unequivocal: “Inter can do what they want, but I have already told him that he is not leaving. If the player wants to stay, he stays.” Mancini, a product of the Roma youth system who has grown into a defensive leader, apparently has no desire to move, and Gasperini’s public stance leaves little room for negotiation. This firm declaration sends a strong signal to both the squad and the market: Roma is not a selling club when it comes to its pillars.
Keeping Mancini is about more than just skill on the pitch. As captain, he embodies the fighting spirit that Gasperini values, and his partnership at the back was a cornerstone of the team’s defensive improvement. In a league where top Italian defenders are at a premium, retaining him avoids the destabilization that a late-window sale could cause. It also reinforces the message that the club’s hierarchy is aligned with the coach’s vision.
For Dybala, the picture is less clear. The 32-year-old’s wages are significant, and a new deal must fit within Roma’s wage structure amid Financial Fair Play considerations. Still, the Champions League factor could be decisive: the competition’s financial rewards and prestige make it easier to justify a renewal, and Dybala himself may be tempted to test the European stage with a Roma side that is on the rise.
Gasperini’s comments also hint at the broader strategy: rather than dismantling the squad, the priority is to add quality in targeted areas. “The ambition of Roma and the ownership is to create a better team,” he said, indicating that work is already underway to identify reinforcements. With the summer transfer window set to open, Roma’s moves will be closely watched, especially after the club’s shrewd business last year brought in key contributors on affordable terms.
The Serie A landscape is increasingly competitive, with the Milan clubs, Juventus, and Napoli all expected to strengthen. For Roma to consolidate their position and perhaps even challenge higher up the table, stability is essential. Gasperini’s track record of developing players and his clear tactical identity give the Giallorossi a solid foundation, but only if the core remains intact.
Ultimately, the coach’s words in Bergamo were a blend of realism and resolve. He knows the market can be unpredictable — “it is a moment of stalemate for everyone,” he observed — but he is not willing to see his project undermined by the departure of irreplaceable figures. The coming weeks will test that determination, but for now, Roma fans can take heart: the man in charge has drawn a line in the sand over his captain, and he is working to ensure that the team’s most creative talent remains as well.
Based on reporting from Tuttosport.