Dig Out the Black Bunting: Corini is Leaving Palermo

By: Martha | June 8th, 2007

From the moment the season ended, Crazyass Maurizio Zamparini has been talking smack about The Great Eugenio Corini, sternly telling the press that if the midfielder — whose contact expired this month — wanted to stay around, he’d be signing a contract with the understanding that his ass would be on the bench most of the time. Whether he ever said any of this to Corini himself is unclear, but he sure as hell said it to the papers a lot — it was as if he wanted everyone to know that even a beloved captain wasn’t going to push HIM around. You know, as if he was even trying.

Over the past week or so, it’s become increasingly clear that Corini would probably move on, since he obviously isn’t ready to hang it up quite yet. And today, finally, came the inevitable press conference in which he sorrowfully announced his departure — in tears, people. HE CRIED. Admit it, your heart is a little broken, too.

Unlike a certain club president, Corini handled the event with his usual class, albeit with frank statements about his desire to remain at the club. Basically, he (quite reasonably) laid his departure at the feet of the club administration, saying he would have liked to be a central element of the team for a another year, and then stay around to become part of the coaching system; this isn’t happening entirely because The Man said no. Fucker.

I’m going to try really hard not to go into an I love Corini! rant here (Is it too late to bother? I’m thinking it might be too late.) but the lack of class on the part of Zamparini and his club in handling this situation is sort of astonishing. How hard would it be to give the guy another year, let him play himself into (or out of) a starting position, and then make room for him on the bench after his retirement? The fans adore him, and he’s been crucial to the club’s success over the past few years. Why not just value that?!

I don’t know about you, but I’m going to spend the weekend in mourning. Now where’s that black veil …

Category: Corini, Palermo, Rumors & News, Serie A

Tags: Corini, Palermo, Rumors -amp; News, Serie A, Zamparini

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Comments  

• Anthony |  June 8th, 2007 at 1:10 pm

  
  
  

  I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I once thought that our UEFA cup spot could be our stage to show the rest of Europe (and world) that Palermo isn’t a second rate Italian team, but we might as well go on the Gong Show.

  Zamparini is slowly, but surely moving up my list of things to do today.

  Posted from United States

  

• Ruby |  June 8th, 2007 at 1:12 pm

  
  
  

  For you, aka, ‘Yes, even in the midst of your grief, I am pimping myself’.

  I have no shame.

  Posted from United Kingdom

  

• Lisa |  June 8th, 2007 at 3:52 pm

  
  
  

  Not to state the obvious or anything, but expecting class from the guy who brought us the cunning gypsy embarrassment may be a bit much.

  Posted from United Kingdom

  

• Kayannie |  June 8th, 2007 at 4:18 pm

  
  
  

  Oh fucking hell.

  You know, after everything they still manage to surprise me with their loserness. :(

  Posted from Australia

  

• Lori |  June 8th, 2007 at 8:16 pm

  
  
  

  Wow. Nice to know that after he’s had such a great season and being a player with class and loyalty he’s treated this way. Zamparini is a horse’s ass. If he keeps this up he’ll end up screwing up the whole team.

  Posted from Canada

  

• steven |  June 8th, 2007 at 11:53 pm

  
  
  

  Seriously, i’ve had a love-hate relationship with Zampa since he started at Palermo, but he has never been this low on my list as today. Corini was the only constant factor in the team this year, it was Corini who gave us our last two wins, and let’s not forget that he was this year’s club-topscorer. If i was Zamparini, and thank God i’m not, I’d give the man an extension for 3 more seasons, let him end his career in Palermo and retire his number. But no, now he’s gonna go to Parma or a team like that, shine like that big-ass star pointing out the north pole, an become the hero of his new team…

  I just hope that, when he ever returns to the Barbera, the tifosi are not gonna go ‘Luca Toni’ on his ass, but give him a standing ovation for everything he’s done for us.

  Damn you, Zamparini…

  Posted from Belgium

  

• Lisa |  June 9th, 2007 at 2:34 am

  
  
  

  Steven, I doubt the tifosi will treat Corini badly if he returns to the Barbera with another team. They know he wanted to stay. (But I’m totally with you- Palermo should have extended his contract to keep him around through the end of his career.)

  Posted from United Kingdom

  

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