Lazio fills up coaching vacancy

Claudio Lotito is without a doubt one of the more entertaining owners in Serie A. He talks a mile a minute, his press conferences and interviews last forever because he likes to hear himself talk, and also he always likes to make it known that he constructed a very good side for very little money. (I was also reading an article the other day that said he owns 5 cell phones and a Lega Calcio meeting had to be started late because they were waiting for him to finish 2 conversations). After Delio Rossi decided to leave the club earlier this month, reporters had been speculating as to who Lotito would hire as boss. The favorites seemed to be Marco Giampaolo and Davide Ballardini.

When asked by reporters last week when he would announce who the new manager was, Lotito responded “What difference does it make whether I tell you now or next week? What would a new manager do now, manage the sheep at Formello (Lazio’s training ground)?”

Well, Lotito made the announcement today, and Davide Ballardini was officially unveiled as Lazio head coach and presented to the press. Ballardini signed a 2 year deal with an option for a third year and will get 750,000 euro a season. Ballardini was Palermo manager this season but surprised everyone when he said he wanted to leave because of Zamparini’s public insults. So Zamparini went out and hired Walter Zenga (who was supposedly a Lazio target) and Lotito hired Ballardini.

So we’ll have to see how Ballardini does in the Roman capital. But the most interesting part of the story is this:

Notice anything similar? Maybe that is Ballardini’s official presentation outfit? Or maybe he just likes how he looks in it? Or is he that superstitious? Or is it just a coincidence? We may never know.

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

Tags: Calcio, Davide Ballardini, football, Futbol, Italy, Lazio, Palermo, Rumors & News, Serie A, Soccer

Subscribe   The Offside RSS Feeds

Print

Share