The afternoon in Reggio Emilia confirmed what many had sensed for over a week: Andrea Sottil is no longer the head coach of Sampdoria. The decision, long anticipated, raises questions about why the club took so long to act on what was an inevitable outcome. Following a disheartening 5-1 defeat to Sassuolo, Sottil led the team with a palpable lack of confidence.
After the match, discussions began between club president Manfredi and sporting director Pietro Accardi. In a post-match press conference, Accardi stated, “From me downwards, we are all under scrutiny. I will speak with President Manfredi; we know we can and must do more.” This admission of accountability indicated that changes were forthcoming, and Sottil’s absence from facing the jeering fans underscored his precarious position. Just hours later, on Monday morning, the official announcement of his dismissal was made.
As for potential successors, four main candidates have emerged. One option is a return for Andrea Pirlo, who remains under contract with the club. Pirlo previously established a good rapport with the players and is familiar with the environment. However, issues between him and Accardi complicate this possibility. “The relationship needs to be resolved first,” noted insiders regarding Pirlo’s potential return.
An unexpected candidate could be the duo of Foti and Pedone. However, this choice must be approached with caution; making a poor decision at this stage could jeopardize not only their playoff ambitions but also lead to significant ranking challenges. Foti has expressed willingness to return, having previously worked with top-tier coaches like José Mourinho and Marco Giampaolo, but he still needs to prove himself at the first-team level.
The most credible names currently being discussed are those proposed by Accardi to Manfredi and Messina. Aurelio Andreazzoli appears to be a strong contender due to his salary expectations and previous working relationship with Accardi. Conversely, Leonardo Semplici, who has been out of work since managing Spezia earlier this year, may demand higher compensation along with assurances regarding player acquisitions.
