Mancini: ‘Ranieri reassuring for Roma, no personal battle with Spalletti’ | OneFootball

Gianluca Mancini feels Roma are on the right track with Claudio Ranieri backing Gian Piero Gasperini, but denies Luciano Spalletti ignored him for Italy over ‘personal matters.’

The Giallorossi have qualified for the Europa League after a fifth-place finish in Serie A, though for a while on the final day of the season they were in fourth.

It was the final contribution of coach Ranieri before retirement, but he is going nowhere, acting as special advisor to the club and shadowing new boss Gasperini.

“Gasperini is a great coach and proved that over the years. He did something unique with Atalanta and now we are happy to have him with us,” Mancini told Sky Sport Italia.

“He was my first coach in Serie A and I will always be grateful to him, because he taught me so much. His style of football is very intense, so it’s going to be a very tough pre-season training camp, but we’ll be ready.”

Having come so close to the Champions League qualification, that is the primary target for next season.

“Ranieri did something remarkable and it reassures us players to know he is still at the club. We hope that everything goes the best way.”

Italy snub did not hurt Mancini

Italy’s defender #05 Gianluca Mancini fights for the ball with Turkey’s defender #21 Baris Alper Yilmaz during the international friendly football match between Italy and Turkey as part of their preparation for the UEFA Euro 2024 European football championships, at the Dall’Ara Stadium on June 4, 2024 in Bologna. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)

Mancini was left out of the Italy squad that started the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-0 defeat in Norway and 2-0 victory over Moldova.

“I was very sad for my teammates who were there in Norway. I can assure you it was a united group, one bad game cannot compromise everything, and Italy still have what it takes to reach the World Cup.”

REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – JUNE 9: Luciano Spalletti head coach of Italy during the FIFA 2026 Qualifier between Italy and Moldova at Mapei Stadium – Citta’ del Tricolore on June 09, 2025 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

There were reports that Mancini had been left out of the Italy squad by Spalletti because they had clashed when working at Roma.

He was expected to be called after Inter defender Francesco Acerbi withdrew and injuries piled up in the same area of the squad.

“As I often say, if you are called up for the Nazionale, you must take the first train to the camp, and if not, you must be the first in line to cheer them on,” assured Mancini.

“The coach made his considerations and they are to be accepted. I didn’t see it as an exclusion based on personal matters, as there was never any real tension between us. In fact, I will always thank him for taking me to the Euros.

“I’m sure it was simply a technical decision.”