Edoardo Garrone has denied that Ciro Ferrara is a second choice Coach at Sampdoria” data-scaytid=”5″>Sampdoria and has also reflected on reuniting Antonio Cassano and Giampaolo Paz
Edoardo Garrone has denied that Ciro Ferrara is a second choice Coach at Sampdoria and has also reflected on reuniting Antonio Cassano and Giampaolo Pazzini.
The Vice-President was involved this week in Sampdoria’s appointment of Italy Under-21 Coach Ferrara. However, before his arrival at the club, talks for the Marassi hotseat had previously taken place with Spaniard Rafa Benitez.
“We had made contact with Benitez, but the relationship did not materialise. Ciro Ferrara was certainly not a fallback option,” Garrone confirmed to Radiosportiva.
“We thought of him because he was a great champion and is the clean face of football that we believe we can work with for a major project.
“With him we are ready to explore all the options of the market for a new cycle.”
Ferrara’s confirmation in the role saw Beppe Iachini released as Coach, even though he oversaw their return to Serie A at the first time of asking.
“To him we owe much for the great work that he managed, but for a long term project we thought of a different choice. Anyway, we separated with great respect.
“To return to Serie A, we have invested in human and organisational resources. We have always worked to return to the best football.
“This is thanks to [sporting director] Pasquale Sensibile, who has a done a great job, especially with the squad in difficulty – with three promotions and also a title won by the youth team, this year has demonstrated that with our future he can do great work.”
Garrone returned to focus on the project he is keen to undertake at Samp.
“Our role model? Udinese” data-scaytid=”51″>Udinese. It is a club that for 20 years has been working on youth and is an example to follow.
“Samp cannot work to the same level as the great forces in the League, but we can grow and earn points with the best professional resources.
“In this sense we want to try to imitate the work focusing on young players carried out by Udinese.”
There has been light speculation that the previously successful strikeforce of Pazzini and Cassano could be reunited at Sampdoria this summer.
“Cassano has expressed a desire to return, with the city he is very close, but now is not the best time. Also with Pazzini, he has remained close in the hearts of our fans, but first it will depend on the willingness of Inter.”