Palermo President Maurizio Zamparini oversaw nine changes of management in the 2015-16 season, with dismissals, resignations, captains disowning coaches on live TV and a surprise finale.
Words: Martin Mork
Beppe Iachini entered the 2015-16 campaign as only the second coach to last an entire season at Palermo under Maurizio Zamparini. The other was Francesco Guidolin, who had overseen four different spells as Rosanero coach, resigning in two of them. “I take one day at a time,” said Iachini when appointed in October 2014 and he kept the job after steering the newly-promoted side to a respectable 11th place.
Napoli’s return to the big time marked the beginning of the end, as having joint Presidents with opposing ideas on the transfer market was a recipe for chaos...
Words: Livio Caferoglu
If there was ever a club that set the bar for what not to do, look no further than Napoli in 2000-01. Their promotion in May 2000 should’ve been the catalyst for their revival, but it instead proved to be the first step towards their bankruptcy four years later. Aurelio De Laurentiis has since re-established the southern powerhouse, yet it could all have been avoided if Corrado Ferlaino - the man who brought Diego Maradona to the San Paolo – had it his way.
Venezia were bottom and seemingly resigned to relegation until Alvaro Recoba came in and orchestrated one of Serie A’s greatest escapes...
Words: Livio Caferoglu
Venezia’s 1998-99 campaign was truly remarkable for several reasons. Remarkably, Maurizio Zamparini resisted making a managerial change for an entire season, sticking with Walter Novellino throughout. More remarkably, the Arancioneroverdi achieved their highest post-war finish in Serie A, despite being bottom at Christmas. Most remarkably of all, it was single-handedly orchestrated by Alvaro Recoba.
Palermo President Maurizio Zamparini announces 'I’m selling to the Americans in March!'
The controverial owner also refuted claims about his notoriety for sacking Coaches and revealed hope for staying up, despite remaining eight points away from salvation.
"We start from the end. I never lost hope of salvation," Zamparini told Corriere dello Sport.
"The draw with Napoli and the victory against Crotone nourishes this hope and it is no coincidence that the embodiment of both is [Ilija] Nestorovski.
Serie B side Avellino have announced that former Palermo man Walter Novellino has been appointed as their new Coach.
The Lupi sacked former boss Domenico Toscano after poor results have seen them slide to 19th in the table.
The club confirmed the appointment with the following statement.
“US. Avellino announce that Mr Walter Alfredo Novellino is the new Coach of the first team. The Coach, was born in Montemarano on June 4, 1953 has - among others - previously taken charge of Napoli, Sampdoria, Torino, Modena and Palermo.
Serie B side Avellino have sacked Coach Domenico Toscano and are talking to Walter Novellino.
The decision was made following this afternoon’s 3-0 defeat to Cesena.
Curiously, Toscano hadn’t been on the bench for the last two games anyway, as he is suffering with painful kidney stones.
According to Sky Sport Italia, Avellino will meet with Novellino over the next few days.
Former Palermo Coach Walter Novellino has “proposals from outside Italy and I have learned English, so I’ll evaluate what to do.”
The tactician spoke to Radio Sportiva to mark his 63rd birthday and was asked about his future plans.
“I have received a few proposals, but not from Italy. I must admit, I would like to go abroad for a new experience.
“I learned English, a language that opens up many doors. I remain in wait and will evaluate what to do.”
Walter Novellino insists Maurizio Zamparini “is doing everything to save Palermo”.
The Coach was sacked by the Rosanero this week, with Davide Ballardini returning to replace him in the ninth change this season.
However, despite being given just four games on the Barbera bench, the former Sampdoria boss bears no ill-will toward the club President.
“All I can say is that I was unlucky at Palermo,” Novellino told TuttoJuve.
Maurizio Zamparini says Palermo’s poor season is down to “the changes of Coach I had to make”.
The Rosanero have made nine changes on the bench this season, with Davide Ballardini returning for a second spell this week after Walter Novellino was dismissed.
“On a technical level Palermo are OK,” Zamparini explained to ANSA.
Walter Novellino admits it’s “a big disappointment” to be sacked by Palermo after four games in charge.
The Coach was appointed by the Rosanero on March 10, but confirmed yesterday that he had been sacked after no wins in his short tenture.
