Former Lazio sporting director Igli Tare reflected on his time at the club, his relationship with Maurizio Sarri and his work in the transfer market.
The Albanian spent 15 years working as the Biancocelesti’s sporting director before leaving the club this month. He had a number of ups and downs during his time in the Italian capital, impressing with deals for players like Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Luis Alberto.
In recent years, the tide started to turn against Tare, with flop signings like the €20 million spent on Vedat Muriqi or €10 million on Denis Vavro disappointing Lazio and the fans. His poor relationship with Sarri further exacerbated things, making his departure seem like a matter of time.
Speaking to Il Messaggero (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), Tare first reflected on his 15-year spell working as Lazio’s sporting director.
I have an enormous bond with this club, which I have demonstrated with facts, turning down Milan, Napoli and Eintracht Frankfurt over the years.
I would have earned ten times more, but I always stayed because of the great gratitude I had for a president who trusted me at a certain moment.
I’ve always remained loyal to him, but now I have to be a professional, I’m not going to bang my head against a wall.
He gave his thoughts on Sarri and his relationship with the coach.
I brought him to Lazio and supported him for the renewal until 2025. He asked me for help to make a project, then I don’t know what happened. We’ve never argued.
When Sarri arrived he gave the team the best speech I had ever heard in my career at Lazio. I shook his hand and told him finally we have a coach who says things in this way.
Finally, Tare reflected on his recent work in the transfer window during the Sarri era.
The first year six players had to arrive and seven or eight arrived, the second five or more arrived, in total 16 in a two-year period.
We had to freshen up the squad, get results and I sent 14 players out in January.
Say what you want, he did do for us a lot with limited resources. The flop was in recent times and it was time.
I wish you well Igli, will remember you as a great Laziale.