Antonio Cassano called ex-Inter Coach Andrea Stramaccioni “the worst person I ever met” and revealing their row “got physical.”
FantAntonio is semi-retired now, although he keeps hinting at a return only to pull back, as he managed a couple of weeks of pre-season training at Hellas Verona.
Cassano left Sampdoria in October 2010 following a blazing row with President Riccardo Garrone, which he has often called the biggest regret of his life.
Antonio Cassano called ex-Inter Coach Andrea Stramaccioni “the worst person I ever met” and revealing their row “got physical.”
FantAntonio is semi-retired now, although he keeps hinting at a return only to pull back, as he managed a couple of weeks of pre-season training at Hellas Verona.
Cassano left Sampdoria in October 2010 following a blazing row with President Riccardo Garrone, which he has often called the biggest regret of his life.
It was seemingly over a sponsorship event that Garrone wanted Cassano to attend, but the player responded with insults that went over the line.
“The best person I ever met was President Garrone, who sadly has now passed on,” Cassano told Sky Sport Italia.
“I still get emotional talking about him now, even after all these years. He was an honest person, polite, generous, respectful. The kind of person it’s difficult to find in the world of football and he had all the characteristcs of the perfect man.
“He cared for me like a father and I got tremendously attached to him, like the father I never had. He gave me advice and attention. The biggest mistake I ever made was showing him a lack of respect, but fortunately I was eventually able to clear the air.”
Cassano made up with Garrone before his death in January 2013.
“I met many bad people in my life, but the worst of all was Stramaccioni. I did not find him to be an honest or fair person, as he was someone who would say one thing to your face and another behind your back.
“It’s rare that I let an argument get physical, but with him it was right to reach that point. He is a person I did not like, I continue to dislike and will always dislike.
“If someone is born square, he cannot due round, and I am pretty satisfied with that.”
Many blame Cassano’s difficult nature and bad temper on his upbringing in the roughest areas of Bari.
“My childhood was very difficult, because I couldn’t even eat, I didn’t have the money to keep going. When you’re born in the backstreets of Bari, it’s always complicated and you can go down the wrong path.
“I consider myself an intelligent guy, because I reached a certain point and realised I had to dedicate myself to football. I’ve never drunk or done drugs.
“It was always a risk until 17, when I became a professional player, that I could go down other avenues to find some easy money. I had incredible talent and made the most of it. I always wanted to be a football player and make my Mother happy.
“I grew up without a father and I can only thank him for helping me come to this world, but after that nothing. We suffered in his absence.”