Roma eyes Ancelotti as Real Madrid legend joins Allegri in race for top job

With Ranieri stabilizing Roma, could Ancelotti or Allegri take over next season?

Real Madrid CF v Sevilla FC - La Liga EA Sports
Real Madrid CF v Sevilla FC - La Liga EA Sports | Diego Souto/GettyImages

Roma, in a period of change, turned back to Claudio Ranieri at the helm, a team that was seemingly adrift under Daniele De Rossi and Ivan Juric. There have been visible improvements, but already speculation regarding the future is gaining momentum.

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According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, names such as Carlo Ancelotti and Massimiliano Allegri remain the favorites to take over next season. Management appears open to every opportunity that comes their way before they decide on whether to continue with Ranieri or embark on a new project.

Experience, results, and an uncertain future

Since taking over, Ranieri has done precisely what he was asked to do: bring much-needed stability to a team in disarray. He's made his commitment clear, stating, "I am at Roma's disposal and will do whatever they ask of me." It is an attitude that has earned him the respect of the board and the fans, but does not guarantee his position beyond this season.

The Friedkin family knows well it is about stabilizing the present with an eye on the future. That's why others, other big names already for the job, that giant that might return home.

The most mentioned, however, is Ancelotti — who would be the new Roma boss in 2024. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the coach, currently on Real Madrid's bench, might accept the challenge of going back to where he played in the 1980s.

Having won 15 trophies with Real Madrid, Ancelotti is the most successful coach in the club's history. With his contract running until 2026, the possibility of joining a project that would include his son, Davide, as a potential future successor at Roma, is highly attractive. For Roma, Ancelotti would represent a jump in class, not just in experience but in global visibility for the club.

Allegri: the pragmatic alternative Another strong contender on Roma's radar is Massimiliano Allegri, who has been without a team since leaving Juventus. Known for his ability to manage squads and adapt strategies, Allegri is a solid choice for any team looking for consistent results.

While Allegri doesn't have the emotional attachment to Roma like Ancelotti does, his tactical astuteness and proven records in the business make him a highly credible candidate-an appointment that would strongly suggest an immediate focus on performance and competitiveness, qualities that Roma wishes to cement in its road to being among the powerhouses of Italian and European soccer. 

A bold option in Gasperini

Looking beyond Ancelotti and Allegri, Roma has kept one eye on Gian Piero Gasperini, the current coach of Atalanta: less high-profile but renowned for his attacking brand of football and developing young talent.

 According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Gasperini can turn out to be an audacious choice; he is a coach with enormous potential, as when successful coaches make Atalanta-a team with limited resources-competitive, it simply proves their capability in enhancing every power of a squad.

Could Ranieri stay on?

Despite all the speculation, Ranieri remains a viable option. His deep knowledge of the club and ability to manage crises shine as his positive points. His captaincy has brought cohesion into the squad, and clear improvements have been witnessed in the team under his leadership.

But his permanence depends on more than just short-term success. Roma need a clear and ambitious project looking ahead, and whether Ranieri fits into that remains open to question. Reconfirming him would ensure stability, but it may not be what the Friedkin family want looking ahead to the long term.

What Roma's decision means

Whoever comes to Roma next season, the decision says a lot about ambitions and strategic ways for the club. The choice between Ancelotti or Allegri will say it all about commitment to excellence and short-term results. On the other hand, sticking with Ranieri or bringing in Gasperini would reflect a more cautious approach oriented towards development.