New chapter for Roma: Massara returns after Ghisolfi s exit

Frederic Massara is set to embark on a familiar journey back to the Eternal City, with reports indicating his imminent appointment as the new sporting director for AS Roma. The move sees the 56-year-old return to Serie A after a one-year stint with French Ligue 1 side Rennes. His arrival will fill the void left by Florent Ghisolfi, whose departure from the Stadio Olimpico was officially confirmed on Tuesday, with sources suggesting Ghisolfi's position had been precarious since last December.

Massara brings a wealth of experience and a track record of success back to Rome. He was a pivotal figure alongside Paolo Maldini during his four seasons at AC Milan, from 2019 to 2023, where he played a key role in the club's memorable 2021-22 Serie A title victory. This upcoming role marks a return to familiar territory for Massara, who previously served as Roma's sporting director between 2016 and 2017, and also had a brief spell in 2019.

His appointment comes as part of a significant leadership restructuring at Roma ahead of the 2025-26 season. The club also recently unveiled Gian Piero Gasperini as their new head coach during a press conference on Tuesday. The combined arrival of an experienced director like Massara and a tactically astute coach like Gasperini signals Roma's clear intent to strengthen their foundations and ambitions for the upcoming campaign.

Roma is scheduled to kick off their 2025-26 Serie A season on the weekend of August 24, with a home fixture against Bologna at the Stadio Olimpico. With Massara now at the helm of the sporting department, the club hopes to build a competitive squad capable of challenging for honors and achieving their objectives under the new leadership duo.