Davide Ballardini explains why he decided to return for a third stint on the Cagliari” data-scaytid=”4″>Cagliari bench. “I am in love with this land.”
Davide Ballardini explains why he decided to return for a third stint on the Cagliari bench. “I am in love with this land.”
The Coach was drafted in after Massimo Ficcadenti’s dismissal last night and held a Press conference this evening.
“I heard from President Massimo Cellino yesterday afternoon. Then I heard from director general Francesco Marroccu and here I am,” smiled the man who already sat on the Sardinian bench in 2005-06 and 2007-08.
“I am excited by this return to Cagliari and very determined in facing the work that awaits us.
“Cellino asked if I felt like coming back and the truth is I always harboured that desire, but I couldn’t imagine when. I am in love with this land and the people in it.
“The President simply asked me to behave the way I always do, without setting objectives. Cagliari have not changed too much since I was here.
“They still set out with the same 4-3-1-2 we experimented for the first time with the ‘old’ Daniele Conti, Andrea Cossu, Davide Biondini, Alessandro Agostini and Michele Canini.
“Those names are joined by new players, some of whom I already knew, like Davide Astori, Lorenzo Ariaudo, Radja Nainggolan and Nene.
“I saw Thiago Ribeiro on television and he seems like an interesting player, so I can’t wait to see him in action up close. I will have time to get to know players like Rui Sampaio and Victor Ibarbo.”
Ballardini becomes the third Cagliari Coach of the current campaign, as Roberto Donadoni was sacked in mid-August.