Former Lazio sporting director Igli Tare reflected on his departure from the club and clarified that his exit wasn’t related to Maurizio Sarri.
The Albanian director ended a 15-year spell in the club’s backroom when he left at the end of June this year, signalling a new era for the Biancocelesti. He had guided the transfer market strategy for over a decade, with mixed results.
Once appreciated for his ability to find stars like Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Luis Albert, Tare began to fall out of favour in recent years due to his insistence of signing Eastern European players like Dimitrije Kamenovic and Denis Vavro, who failed to impress.
Reports also claimed he clashed regularly with coach Sarri, who is alleged to have given president Claudio Lotito ultimatums regarding the sporting director.
Speaking to Corriere della Sera (via Calciomercato.com), Tare first clarified that Sarri wasn’t the reason he left Lazio this summer.
Absolutely not. A lot has been written on this point, but it isn’t like that. I spoke with Lotito, after 18 years the time had come to part ways in a civilized manner, without any disagreements.
It would have been unforgivable for everyone. Lazio are in my heart. But I needed to look around, study, get to know other realities.
He spoke about Sarri’s character and reiterated why he decided to call it quits with Lazio after so long.
He is a fundamentalist, it’s true, someone who wants to do things his way, it’s his signature, his characteristic. Whoever hires him, however, knows that, they can’t change him. I’ve never argued with him, but it’s not easy, he has his own way of conceiving football and work.
Lotito also resembles him, a president with a very strong character. At times I acted as a lightning rod – it’s part of the job of a good director – but my marriage with Lazio had reached the end of the line. Sarri has nothing to do with it. After so many years, you feel the need to see other worlds.
He was asked about the recent reports that he could become Napoli’s new sporting director.
I haven’t heard from anyone, so no. Then anything can happen in football, look at the national team with Mancini and Spalletti. Ours is an evolving world, offers have something to do with it but also projects. I await the right offer.
Finally, Tare gave his thoughts on Inter coach Simone Inzaghi, who emerged at Lazio.
No surprise, he was predestined, always studying football. It was normal for him to improve, he put humility and commitment into it. Now he is a complete coach, he deserves it.
