Danilo Cataldi opens up on what Maurizio Sarri told the Lazio players when handing in his resignation, but hints at more behind the scenes. ‘I try not to air dirty laundry in public.’
The Aquile were stunned after four consecutive defeats when Sarri quit on Tuesday afternoon, soon followed by all of his staff except for Giovanni Martusciello, who agreed to stay on as caretaker manager for one match.
That was this evening’s 3-2 victory away to Frosinone, awaiting the appointment of new coach Igor Tudor.
“These have been complicated days, we wanted to thank Martusciello, a person who even on a personal level has really helped me over the last two and a half years,” Cataldi told Sky Sport Italia.
The fans were still not celebrating after this victory, warning the players that they ‘only cheer on the shirt’ and blame the squad for Sarri’s exit.
“When the coach resigns, clearly everyone has to take responsibility, and a series of situations meant that things weren’t working. The fact that the fans blame us is fair, because perhaps we were unable to perform at the level that we could’ve done. We take our share of the responsibility.”
Martusciello revealed that Sarri resigned to ‘get a reaction’ out of the squad and Cataldi confirms that was the message he gave to the team as well.
“We tried to stop the coach, because after two and a half years of work, we told him that he should not be the only one to pay for mistakes. We asked him to stay with us to the end of the season, but he told us this was the only way to shake us up and help us to end the season on a high note.”
President Claudio Lotito told reporters that Sarri had been “betrayed” by some of his players and being asked about that made Cataldi visibly uncomfortable.
“Those are strong words. I don’t know what to say. I try not to air dirty laundry in public. Everyone has a share of the responsibility and I think it is right that we resolve these issues internally.”
Was Cataldi expecting Sarri’s resignation or did it come as a complete shock?
“I couldn’t say, it never happened to me before. I can only hope that it can end up being for the good of Lazio to shake everyone up.”
Tudor is set to sign a contract on Monday or Tuesday that will run to June 2025, with an option to extend for another year.