Marco Giampaolo thanks Sampdoria for “intense and formative years” as he takes the Milan job, while welcoming Maurizio Sarri to Juventus.
He is expected to sign on at San Siro within 24-48 hours, having terminated his Samp contract by mutual consent.
“I had three intense and formative years at Sampdoria, where I had the opportunity to work on the construction of an idea and a football school of thought,” Giampaolo said at an awards event.
Marco Giampaolo thanks Sampdoria for “intense and formative years” as he takes the Milan job, while welcoming Maurizio Sarri to Juventus.
He is expected to sign on at San Siro within 24-48 hours, having terminated his Samp contract by mutual consent.
“I had three intense and formative years at Sampdoria, where I had the opportunity to work on the construction of an idea and a football school of thought,” Giampaolo said at an awards event.
“The club put me in the ideal conditions to work and I was fortunate to have important players in the squad, as proven by the fact many of them are now in Europe’s biggest clubs. It’s an environment where you can work in peace.
“Serie A has become more difficult in recent years, as even the Coaches of the smaller clubs go out there with the right mentality. Of course, top players make the difference, but some ideas can help reduce the gap.”
Juventus are making a big change too, as they have hired former Napoli and Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri.
“Maurizio is one of the best teachers of football in Europe. He is studious, does his research and is a self-made man. He dedicated his life to football, to searching for innovations and I respect him a great deal. He deserved all his success.
“It’s wonderful to have Coaches like Sarri and Antonio Conte return to Italy after important experiences abroad. This idea of Coaches ‘betraying’ their former clubs is so outdated. A Coach gives everything to the club he works for, it consumes him and he generally cannot stay for too long.”
Fabio Quagliarella had a fairy-tale season, at the age of 36 becoming Capocannoniere and earning a recall to the Italy squad.
“It is certainly surprising, as at that age, after fighting to win Scudetti and trophies, you find yourself with that kind of motivation and a whole new level of credibility.
“There is the temptation to rest on your laurels, but Fabio always wants to improve himself. I don’t remember him skipping a training session in three years. He’s an incredible example of how to be a professional and I think he experienced this Capocannoniere title as a dream too.”