Lazio could be set for a managerial revamp this summer, as sporting director Angelo Fabian could accompany Maurizio Sarri out the door.
The Background
The Biancocelesti were hoping to salvage their incredibly difficult campaign by lifting the Coppa Italia trophy, but they fell short in Wednesday’s final against Inter Milan. Therefore, the club has missed out on Europe for the second year running, for the first time in Claudio Lotito’s 22-year reign.
While many have pointed the finger towards the unpopular club president, Sarri and Fabiani could pay the price. According to several sources in the Italian media, the head coach will meet with Lotito after Sunday’s Derby della Capitale to decide whether to proceed together or part ways at the end of the season.
Maurizio Sarri Could Leave Lazio This Summer
Sarri is unlikely to resign from his post, unless he guarantees himself a deal with another club. He has already been linked with several Italian hot seats, including Atalanta, Fiorentina, AC Milan, and his old employers, Napoli, who have identified him as the first choice to replace Antonio Conte if the latter departs.
Gennaro Gattuso & Serie A Linked with Lazio Hot Seat
In the meantime, a host of names have surfaced as potential replacements for Sarri at Lazio, varying between one source and another. Il Messaggero mentions three up-and-coming Serie A managers in Atalanta’s Raffaele Palladino, Sassuolo’s Fabio Grosso, and Cagliari’s Fabio Pisacane, in addition to former Italy boss, Gennaro Gattuso, a profile admired by Lotito for his fighting spirit.
Conceicao, Almeyda & Runjaic Also on Lazio Shortlist
Il Corriere dello Sport also reports Lazio’s interest in Palladino, who could leave Bergamo at the end of the season, as incoming Atalanta sporting director, Cristiano Giuntoli, would like to start with a clean slate. The Roman newspaper also suggests two former Lazio players, Sergio Conceicao (currently at Al-Ittihad) and Matias Almeyda, who was sacked by Sevilla earlier this season.
Finally, La Gazzetta dello Sport confirms interest in Palladino and Gattuso, while adding Kosta Runjaic to the list. The German has been delivering solid results at Udinese over the past two campaigns.
Sean Sogliano Tipped to Replace Angelo Fabiani at Lazio
Regarding Fabiani, he still has one year left on his contract, but Lotito might be enticed to bring in a new sporting director who excels in poaching young players in accordance with Lazio’s new direction. Hellas Verona’s Sean Sogliano remains the top contender for the role.
This is just a logical conclusion of how club is being run. Season after season we get worse and worse (in player’s quality). I cannot image us to get players like Immobile, Luis Alberto, SMS, de Vrij or Acerbi at their peak now. Not anymore. We have some decent players… But only few of them. RW is covered, DMF is covered (if Rovella stays healthy) and GK is covered. That’s it. 3 positions out of 11. This is alarming situation. We cannot bring cheap young prospects and expect to battle for European spots. Plus there is no pool of prospects in primavera. Sorry, but our youth is garbage. Unusable rejects. Check those names. And look them up in 10 years. They will be in Serie B/C at best. At best. Most of them will not make it to professional football and end their careers at 25. No young boys even want to play for Lazio anymore.
I assume both Fabiani and Sarri will leave Lazio. Sarri can’t get the players he wants so he leaves and Fabian’s work leaves a lot to be desired. Runjaic would be a good option for the coach. He did an excellent job at Udine. Fabian could be replaced by the sporting director who did a good job at Verona, I can’t remember his name now.
Sogliano.. I didn’t finish reading of the article….
He’s an extremely underrated financial sporting director.
He has registered millions in capital gains for Verona, and deserves a lot of credit for keeping the club afloat and out of bankruptcy.
The only downside with Sogliano, is he’s a bit cyclical. He’s great at finding promising young talent and flipping them, but this produces a mixed bag for results. Verona was a mid-table team a couple years ago, and are now at the bottom and back in Serie B…
He’d be a great 2-3 year solution for Lazio until the stadium project gains more traction, sponsorship deals come together, etc.
For coaching, my biggest hope is for some structure and a long term plan. Lazio will be a young team for years to come, I hope the coach is someone who excels with youth development.