Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini said sacked Stefano Pioli just three months into the job as he believed he had lost the support of the players.
With the team yet to play a Serie A game due to a strike postponing the opening weekend of fixtures, Zamparini’s stance appears surprising. However, he insists he acted swiftly in the best interests of the club.
“I saw that the team was no longer following the coach, so I had to intervene and sack him,” Zamparini said. “There was no confidence in him and I was worried that we would be heading in the wrong direction.”
Youth team trainer Devis Mangia has been appointed as caretaker coach, but Zamparini is already working on Pioli’s full-time replacement.
“(Former Palermo coach) Delio Rossi has asked me to give him some time,” Zamparini said. “I like him and he knows the players and the club well. I also like Claudio Ranieri and I contacted him, but he might be considering other offers. In the meantime, we will continue as we are until one of the two becomes available.”
Pioli follows Roberto Donadoni, sacked by Cagliari at the start of the month, in getting fired before the Serie A season even gets started. What are these teams not playing well in friendlies that is causing these President’s to fire managers before a competitive game is ever played?
