With every passing day, the calls for Claudio Lotito to sell Lazio have been growing louder and louder. While the 67-year-old had managed to weather several storms in the past, the current cyclone could blow him out of Formello.
Last summer, Lazio were slapped with a transfer ban that forced Maurizio Sarri to operate with virtually the same squad that was at Marco Baroni’s disposal last season, even though the Commander considers many players ill-suited to his tactical system.
In December, the Biancocelesti managed to unblock the market. But while this was supposed to be a positive development, perhaps Sarri is rueing the day the ban was lifted, as Lotito and Angelo Fabiani have been gradually decimating the squad by selling some of the club’s most prized assets and replacing them with cheaper alternatives.
Lazio currently reside ninth in the standings, and judging by their increasingly weakened squad, they are unlikely to break into the European spots this season, as illustrated by the odds provided by the most popular betting at NonStopCasino bookmakers online.
Many disgruntled Biancocelesti supporters feel that the controversial president’s departure is mere wishful thinking. But with the club enduring its worst free fall of his 22-year reign, this could be the perfect time for some drastic measures.
So, here are three reasons why Lotito could, sooner or later, find himself forced to sell Lazio, either fully or partially.
Lazio Caught in a Loop
One of the main reasons behind the ongoing fire sale is the absence of European football, which took its toll on the club’s financial sheets. Therefore, the management has been forced to raise capital gains to mitigate the losses.
But without quality players, Lazio are unlikely to challenge for European spots, let alone the Champions League. Therefore, the trapped Aquile will find it hard to escape this vicious cycle, unless they receive serious financial backing.
Outdated System
Once upon a time, Italian football was filled with colorful, outspoken club presidents/owners. However, the likes of Silvio Berlusconi and Maurizio Zamparini are no longer part of this world, and they have long been replaced by investment companies and corporate structures.
Therefore, the do-it-all patron persona has run out of fashion, and perhaps it is time for Lazio to follow the new trend.
Irreparable Bond with Lazio Fans
While the ‘unpopular president vs irritated supporters’ is one of the most recurring episodes in sports, the long-standing feud between Lotito and the Lazio faithful has crossed the line of no return, as evidenced by some of the vile accusations they’ve been trading in recent months, ranging from treachery to personal barbs.
Even if the president somehow manages to steady the ship, the wounds caused by the current crisis may never fully heal, and the poor relationship between the Lotito family and the fanbase would remain a dark cloud looming over Formello.
To add some more detail to this. Lazio doesn’t have much ownership of property or other forms of equity. Which was one of the reasons Lazio got the transfer embargo.
The other one was a too high of a wage bill.
So cutting down the wage bill is absolutely essential. While Lazio needs to get their own stadium or at the very least a lot of players on long term contract that are worth something. (So young players with selling value)
Lazio’s squad is worth around the 10th most in Serie A, so the ranking isn’t completely odd either. But it’s paying way too high salary for what the squad is worth.
Positive is that Lazio has relatively for Serie A not an extreme amount of debt, but unfortunately without big time sponsors and European football this debt is rising. (Almost 70 million)
Lazio will require a stadium quickly, but this has been going on for a long time. And with the problems Lazio is in, doubtful it will be soon enough.
Selling the players and buying younger cheaper players is a good strategy. Unfortunately if you sell quality, it’s harder to get investments and European football. While also the money earned needs to be spent well and not just put into filling in debt and such. Also Lazio’s inability to use it’s youth facilities is hampering the clubs’s finances.
With the likes of Bologna and Atalanta growing each year into more stable clubs. Lazio gets further away from from European placement, while Como has already a squad worth more than Lazio and also way better quality. With by a longshot the most funding in Serie A.
Lazio without new big time investment will be likely in the next ten years to spent time in Serie B I reckon. Than making it into the top 4 for CL football. Lotito has done a mediocre job.
Having our own stadium is like landing men on the moon, all just plain wishful thinking.