Gian Piero Gasperini could have been sitting on the Juventus bench this season. Yet, the experienced coach chose Roma instead — and ahead of tonight’s clash at the Allianz Stadium, his decision is once again in the spotlight. What truly happened during the summer when Juventus briefly considered a change in direction?
During his pre-match press conference ahead of Juventus v Roma, Gasperini smiled when asked about why he opted for the Giallorossi job despite reported interest from the Bianconeri. “I chose the more difficult challenge,” he explained — a remark that hinted at ambition rather than hesitation. But was there ever a real offer from Juventus? Here’s how the summer unfolded.
From Giuntoli to Comolli: Uncertainty at Juventus
IlBianconero detail how late May and early June were weeks of upheaval in Turin. Juventus had just secured Champions League qualification but were preparing for a major reshuffle. Cristiano Giuntoli’s departure, made official on 4 June, paved the way for new CEO Damien Comolli.
At that point, the club had yet to confirm the future of Igor Tudor, whose position remained under review. Everything was fluid — management, transfers, and the coaching setup — making the search for continuity at the top a priority.
The Waiting Game for Conte
Amid this uncertainty, the Juventus hierarchy set its sights on Antonio Conte. Fresh from winning Serie A with Napoli, he was the club’s top choice to replace Tudor. Juventus waited several days for Conte’s decision, but when he eventually chose to stay at Napoli, the Bianconeri were forced to reconsider their options.
The Gasperini Contact
It was at this stage that Gasperini’s name entered the conversation. Having decided to end his successful cycle with Atalanta, he was already deep in talks with Roma over a move to the capital. Juventus, meanwhile, had only just begun to evaluate potential successors for Tudor.
Reports suggest there was a direct call between new CEO Comolli and Gasperini — but the conversation stopped short of a concrete offer. Rather than inviting him to take the job, Comolli’s intention was to establish contact and include Gasperini among the potential future candidates. By then, however, the Roma negotiations were already at an advanced stage.
Timing Made the Difference
When Gasperini eventually said yes to Roma, Juventus were still reflecting internally. The Turin club hadn’t yet reached a final decision on Tudor’s future, meaning an official approach to Gasperini never materialised. Timing proved decisive — by the moment Juve were ready to act, the deal between Gasperini and Roma was already sealed.
As Gasperini returns to the Allianz tonight, his decision to take on what he described as “the more difficult path” appears to have paid off. For Juventus, it was a sliding-doors moment; for Roma, a bold appointment that continues to shape their season.
