Ranieri's Roman Revival

As deep into the season as 10th November 2024, AS Roma were sat 12th in Serie A with only three wins and 13 points from 12 games.

I Giallorossi were looking for a third manager of the season having sacked Ivan Juric after a 3-2 defeat to Bologna.

Despite having played European football in every season since 2013-14, the chances of doing so again in 2025/2026 were looking extremely slim.

Preseason Hopes

Roma spent around €92 million during the summer window, including €30 million on Pichinchi winner, Artem Dovbyk, from Girona and talented Juventus and Argentina winger, Matias Soule for €25 million.

They also added experience in defence with Mats Hummels on a free transfer from Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund.

With serious firepower added in attack, alongside Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini, as well as some quality experience in the backline, hopes were high that AS Roma could qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 2018/2019.

De Rossi Sacking

Despite securing Europa League football with a brilliant run last season as well as making the Europa League semi-finals, Daniele De Rossi was sacked four games into the new season having not won a single one of them.

Many Roma fans were outraged about this decision considering the money that they had spent, however it seemed that part of the breakdown in the relationship was to do with their star man.

According to Marco Conterio, Paulo Dybala had a clause in his deal (which was to run out in Summer 2025) that if he played 45 minutes of at least 50% of Roma’s games, an extension would be triggered that included a wage hike.

The club suggested that De Rossi doesn’t play him so the extension wouldn’t get triggered, leading to him offering his resignation before eventually being sacked.

Juric Disaster

Ivan Juric's appointment was a catastrophe for many reasons.

First, it was a completely different tactical style from De Rossi. Juric wanted a defensively solid team with attacking wingbacks and a target man capable of winning aerial duels.

Really though, Roma are more of a possession based team, especially with gifted midfielders like Paredes and Kone who tend to control the midfield.

Secondly, the level was a step above anything Juric had experienced before, with multiple games each week, including European football in the Europa League.

There was also discontent between the fans and players; protests were a constant feature of Juric's short reign, including the Curva Sud section being left empty for 15 at the start of games. To make matters worse, out-of-form Lorenzo Pellegrini and Bryan Cristante were booed.

During a 5 - 1 defeat to Fiorentina, Juric reportedly had a physical altercation with Gianluca Mancini at half-time.

The manager was reportedly irate when he entered the dressing room and had an argument with Mancini about his defending around a Moise Keane goal Roma had conceded in the first half.

Juric's treatment of his players was reportedly shocking too; he was reluctant to use Mats Hummels, saying that he would "choose players that allow us to win."

Quite ironic considering they weren't winning. Then there was the Dybala issue; the Argentine was dropped for Roma's 1 - 1 draw with Union Saint-Gilloise in the the Europa League, Juric refusing the bring the Argentina on.

This was a decision that perplexed the World Cup Winner and despite saying he would be fit for the match that weekend against Bologna, Juric deemed him unavailable the next day which surprised Dybala considering the tests had not been done yet to determine his fitness. 

Return of Claudio

In an emotional statement upon returning to Roma, Ranieri called La Lupa "my life," saying "Now that I have more experience, I'm vaccinated against every situation! But it's also the realisation of a childhood dream, for somebody who used to stand on the Curva Sud."

A manager who loves Roma unconditionally felt like the only real solution to a shambolic season.

Upturn in form

Since losing 2 - 0 to Como in December 2024, Roma have not lost a league game, securing 21 points points from a possible 27.

While this run has included several defeats in other competitions, it has put Ranieri's team right in the thick of a thrilling battle for Italy's Champions League places, four points off fourth with seven games to go.

Since Ranieri's return, I Giallorossi have averaged over two points per game, earning more points in 2025 than the likes of Paris Saint Germain, Bayern Munich and Liverpool.

Blend of experience and youth

Unlike Juric, Ranieri has made full use of his squad, bringing the experienced Paredes and Hummels back in as regulars.

Artem Dovbyk has also found his form for the first time in a Roma shirt, complementing Dybala nicely in the attack.

Youth has also shone for I Giallorossi with Soule, Kone and Baldanzi also playing big roles in Roma's push for the Champions League.

Leaving on a high?

Ranieri says that he does plan to retire from management at the end of the season, but does hope to take up a more senior role at the club; he's already assisting with the search for a new manager.

The perfect way to set up said manager would be with a first UEFA Champions League campaign for Roma since 2018/2019, but any European football qualification would represent a job well done for Ranieri.

Whether or not the spirited Italian does end on a high though, his achievements in both Italian and English football, as well as his lighthearted, charming personality, mean that there will certainly never be another Claudio Ranieri.