During the broadcast “Calciomania” hosted by Massimo D'Alessandro on Radio Crc, Pierpaolo Marino, sports director, expressed his point of view on the arrival of Antonio Conte at Napoli, defining the event as an epochal turning point for the Neapolitan club. "For the first time, a coach who has won several championships and who has played for top clubs in Italy and Europe is coming to Naples. It is an epochal turning point both from an economic and financial point of view and from a technical one and Napoli fans should be happy about it", Marino declared.
“The choice surprised me because Conte's character and managerial traits are far from the ideal figure for President De Laurentiis, but Conte was a choice that became obligatory to relaunch the club's image after a championship in which it hit rock bottom”.
Marino stressed that, although it is Tale a sometimes uncomfortable figure, his presence will undoubtedly bring positive results: “Conte will not only be uncomfortable in Naples, he has been uncomfortable in other clubs too. If he has to resign, he will do so because he has the balls.
There is no doubt about the results he will achieve, but we are all curious to see how the two strong personalities will behave."
The sports manager highlighted the need for a re-foundation in the locker room, with new rules and behaviors for the players: “As a manager and sporting director, I can say that there will need to be a re-foundation in the dressing room, a radical overhaul with new rules and behavioral guidelines for the players and Conte will be fundamental in this operation. He will be the one to be the coach and sporting director, then Manna will help him because he is an excellent professional, but I believe that Conte will be the one to determine the re-foundation”.
Marino also suggested that Conte speak clearly with the players, making it clear that those who no longer have motivation can leave: “I hope the coach speaks to the players and makes it clear that anyone who is reluctant to stay can go because no one is indispensable.
When you don't have the right motivations you become normal players."
Regarding the transfer market, Marino expressed his appreciation for Alessandro Buongiorno of Torino, defining him as a player who would fit well into the Napoli squad: “Good morning, I like him, he is a player who would be good in a competitive squad like Napoli's, also because he has completed his growth process in a Torino team that has had some interesting seasons. I would take him immediately”.
Finally, Marino recalled his past experiences with Conte: “I never had the opportunity to work with Conte, but when he was a player I dealt with him several times for the clubs I worked for.
I spent some great half days with him when he was coaching the national team. Even though I have never worked with him, there is great cordiality”.
Article published on 5 June 2024 - 12:42
