Lazio” data-scaytid=”1″>Lazio Coach Edy Reja believes his side are not getting the recognition they deserve for their results since he took over in January.
Lazio Coach Edy Reja believes his side are not getting the recognition they deserve for their results since he took over in January.
The Biancocelesti are tenth in Serie A but are just two points off a Europa League qualification place with two matches left to play this season.
They face a key match in their campaign tomorrow evening when they head to San Siro to take on Inter and the 68-year-old is adamant the team would have comfortably secured continental qualification had he been at the helm for longer.
He also criticised sections of the club’s support, who he accuses of having created a negative atmosphere at Stadio Olimpico during their stand-off with President Claudio Lotito.
“I can say simply and honestly, we have gained 33 points under me,” Reja said at his pre-match Press conference. “If I had been here for the other half of the season we would have got Europa League football, definitely.
“I am sorry that we are not getting recognition for what we are doing. The circumstances we are playing under are not easy but yet we are still getting great results.
“Our recent results are a shame, our destiny was in our hands before that. Against Torino and Verona we didn’t manage to do what we set out to do.
“We have still managed to get a lot of points, but here you are criticised all the time. We still have a small chance of Europe and we want to go for it despite all the difficulties that surround us.
“You can’t work in this atmosphere, there needs to be a change in attitude. At the stadium when my name is read out I am booed. I don’t understand why.
“But I am used to it now so it’s not a problem. I don’t look for applause, at this moment it is difficult to receive it.
“My future? It is dependent on the club, the club will assess my work. There are Coaches who have two or three year contracts but then they are terminated straight away. That is part of football.
“I have always been a Coach and I still feel in good shape to do the job.”
Reja was then asked about tomorrow’s opponents, Walter Mazzarri’s Nerazzurri.
“They started very well but then they dropped off a bit, as all teams do who are in transition.
“I don’t know how Mazzarri wants to play, but he will surely look to sign players who will be able to fit into his system.”