Ajax’s Farioli emerges as Roma’s top target to replace Ranieri | OneFootball

Roma have been working incessantly to find their future coach since appointing Claudio Ranieri as their caretaker manager until next June, and the latest reports suggest they have opened talks with Francesco Farioli, believing the Ajax boss would be an ideal candidate to take over at the Stadio Olimpico.

epa11820671 Roma’s coach Claudio Ranieri reacts prior to the Italian Serie A soccer match Bologna FC vs AS Roma at Renato Dall’Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy, 12 January 2025. EPA-EFE/SERENA CAMPANINI

The 35-year-old has been catching the eye since steering Ligue 1 side Nice to fifth in his first experience in a top-five European league, earning a move to the Amsterdam giants.

Roma in touch with Farioli over future coaching job

After the Giallorossi director and Ranieri discussed a host of potential profiles in recent weeks, La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that their choice seems to have fallen on the former Sassuolo coach, whose work at the Eredivisie side has been brilliant so far, with his side involved in a tight title fight with reigning champions PSV Eindhoven.

BACKA TOPOLA, SERBIA – AUGUST 01: Head coach Francesco Farioli of Ajax reacts during the UEFA Europa League Second Qualifying Round 2nd leg match between FK Vojvodina and FC Ajax at TSC Arena on August 01, 2024 in Backa Topola, Serbia. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)

According to the newspaper, Roma have already held opening talks with Farioli to discuss potential future strategies, but his current contract expires in 2027, meaning they would be forced to negotiate his exit with Ajax.