Claudio Ranieri has disclosed that AS Roma is on the verge of selecting their new head coach for the 2025-26 season. The veteran manager, who took charge of the team in October, has reiterated his intention to retire at the end of the current campaign despite the club’s remarkable turnaround under his guidance.

Since Ranieri’s appointment, Roma has experienced a dramatic improvement in form, rising from relegation concerns to contending for a top-four finish. Despite pleas from players, fans, and club officials to reconsider his retirement, Ranieri remains resolute in his decision to step down.

“We are very close to choosing our new coach,” Ranieri revealed in a recent interview with Il Messaggero. This statement has intensified speculation about the identity of Roma’s next manager.

Ranieri has already ruled out some potential candidates, including Atalanta’s Gian Piero Gasperini, who was previously linked to the position. The recent visit of former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag to Roma’s training ground sparked rumors, but his representative clarified it was not related to the coaching position.

As Roma prepares for the upcoming Derby della Capitale against Lazio, Ranieri expressed his focus on the match: “My mind now is on the next derby. We have to do well, give our fans some satisfaction, and fight hard.”

The identity of Roma’s new coach remains a topic of intense interest as the club looks to build on the progress made under Ranieri’s short but impactful tenure.