Sporting director Pasquale Foggia has revealed that high-flying Benevento “wanted” Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Mario Mandzukic in January.
The sporting director, who retired from playing after a career including spells at Milan, Lazio, Cagliari and Sampdoria, has revealed that the President Oreste Vigorito has huge ambitions for the Streghe.
Sporting director Pasquale Foggia has revealed that high-flying Benevento “wanted” Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Mario Mandzukic in January.
The sporting director, who retired from playing after a career including spells at Milan, Lazio, Cagliari and Sampdoria, has revealed that the President Oreste Vigorito has huge ambitions for the Streghe.
Filippo Inzaghi’s men are currently top of Serie B and boast a gap of 19 points down to Frosinone at second and the sporting director has admitted that the President had to “come to terms with reality” two months ago.
“The President wanted Ibrahimovic and Mandzukic too, before he went to Qatar,” Foggia told Tuttomercatoweb. “But then they came to terms with reality.”
Mario Mandzukic left Juventus after four and a half seasons and is now plying his trade in Qatar Stars League with Al Duhail. Zlatan returned to Italy, but eventually ended up at Milan.
Currently on an unbeaten run of 18 games, Benevento are on a steady return to the top tier in Italy. On June 8, 2017 they were promoted to Serie A for the first time in their history, but their adventure among the elite of Italian football only lasted for one season.
Foggia has admitted that the President and his staff got a taste of the good life and claims the transfer target only reveals their high ambitions for the future.
“I’m lucky enough to work with a very ambitious President, this allows you to work with great enthusiasm and planning,” he added. “I am happy with the players I have; they are great players and above all exceptional men.
“The results we are claiming are thanks to what has been created among all the different components.”
Their path towards Serie A continues against Pescara at the Stadio Ciro Vigorito on Sunday, with the guests currently four points behind the playoff places.