Paulo Sousa denies Nikola Kalinic told him that he’ll leave Fiorentina for Tianjin Quanjian – “it’s all made up!”
Reports this morning suggested that the Croatian has decided to accept a €10m per season offer from Tianjin Quanjian, and had informed the Coach of his decision.
However, speaking in his Press conference ahead of the Coppa Italia game with Chievo, the Portuguese strongly refuted those claims.
Paulo Sousa denies Nikola Kalinic told him that he’ll leave Fiorentina for Tianjin Quanjian – “it’s all made up!”
Reports this morning suggested that the Croatian has decided to accept a €10m per season offer from Tianjin Quanjian, and had informed the Coach of his decision.
However, speaking in his Press conference ahead of the Coppa Italia game with Chievo, the Portuguese strongly refuted those claims.
“We’ll work with the players we have to improve them and to try to win games,” Sousa said when asked about Kalinic’s possible departure.
“A replacement? I’ve already spoken about this at length, I make my analysis then it’s up to the club to make their decisions.
“The phone call? I don’t like talking about these things as I’m one of the parties involved in this matter but it’s all made up, as has happened several times.
“The people who say these things invent them to try and seem well-informed and to manipulate our fans.
“I try to focus as much as possible on what I can do, I always ask my players to be fully focused on their work and give their all.
“The Chinese market is different from the others, as they’re trying to bring the best players and Coaches to help them grow. They have the capacity.
“Would I feel betrayed if Kalinic is sold? I’ve never said that I told the club to sign Kalinic, I’m just focused on coaching.”