Relegated Cagliari announced a clear-out of their star names, including Daniele Conti and Andrea Cossu, but blamed Zdenek Zeman.

The Sardinians drop down into Serie B after 11 consecutive campaigns in the top flight.

Director of sport Francesco Marroccu resigned this week after 10 years at the club and gave a parting interview with Radiolina.

Relegated Cagliari announced a clear-out of their star names, including Daniele Conti and Andrea Cossu, but blamed Zdenek Zeman.

The Sardinians drop down into Serie B after 11 consecutive campaigns in the top flight.

Director of sport Francesco Marroccu resigned this week after 10 years at the club and gave a parting interview with Radiolina.

“It was a very difficult year, starting with immense enthusiasm and ending in the worst possible way. If it weren’t Cagliari, I’d have left earlier, but I didn’t want to abandon a sinking ship.

“The responsibility is also mine and I take my share of the blame, but the transfer strategy was entirely based around Zeman’s indications and we got all his first choices for each role.

“In that sense, President Tommaso Giulini and I have clear consciences. My mistake was to behave the way I did in the Massimo Cellino era. I should’ve intervened more because the President showed his inexperienced and is working to ensure certain mistakes are not repeated in future.”

Zeman was sacked in December to make way for Gianfranco Zola, then recalled in March, but resigned again for Gianluca Festa to finish off the season.

“In January we had a deal for Leonardo Pavoletti, but the Coach rejected this choice. It’s a shame, as he would’ve been a winning addition.

“Zola? He was not the Coach suited to that situation.”

Now Cagliari have to play in Serie B and that means a clear-out of their top players.

“On Sunday the era of Cossu, Conti and Pisano comes to an end and that will be a moment of great pain for me.

“To think Daniele Conti must end his career this way is something I just cannot live with. I struggled to look Daniele in the eye, as he suffered like nobody else.

“We had become accustomed to a different type of football and he was penalised by that.”

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