Rocco Commisso denied rumours Fiorentina could be floated on the stock exchange and urged Vincenzo Montella to reward “hungry” fans.
The Italian-American billionaire held a live interview with Sky Sport Italia standing in Times Square in New York City, with a large video screen appearing behind them: ‘New York welcomes ACF Fiorentina.’
“Never mind how much it cost, let me take care of money! This is my town and I wanted my co-citizens to welcome Fiorentina.”
Rocco Commisso denied rumours Fiorentina could be floated on the stock exchange and urged Vincenzo Montella to reward “hungry” fans.
The Italian-American billionaire held a live interview with Sky Sport Italia standing in Times Square in New York City, with a large video screen appearing behind them: ‘New York welcomes ACF Fiorentina.’
“Never mind how much it cost, let me take care of money! This is my town and I wanted my co-citizens to welcome Fiorentina.”
It was a NASDAQ screen, but Commisso denied suggestions the club shares would be floated on the NY stock exchange.
“Usually, you are floated on the stock exchange when you need money, but Fiorentina are now fully owned by my family, we are a private company, so we don’t need to do that.”
Montella was also there, having been confirmed today on the Viola bench.
“Last season is a closed chapter, there is a new energy in the air. On the plus side, the fact we did so badly this season means Commisso could buy the club for less and spend more money on the transfer market!” joked the tactician.
Most of the talking, inevitably, was done by the garrulous billionaire Commisso.
“I met Montella, we hugged, I told him that when I came over the ocean to America in 1962, I hadn’t eaten for 12 hours, but I arrived here and ate a plate of spaghetti con vongole. To this day that is my favourite dish and I told Montella we have to do the same with Fiorentina fans, giving them the best meal after too long feeling hungry.
“We’ll take it one day at a time. You saw how quickly we concluded the deals with Prade and Montella. I hear there are three or four clubs in Italy without a Coach. Let’s take it one step at a time and in a year we can talk again about ambitions.”
Commisso was asked about reports he asked club icon Gabriel Batistuta to join the club as a director.
“To this day, nothing has been decided. When it has been decided, I’ll tell you.”
It remains to be seen if the new Fiorentina will include Federico Chiesa, as he is on international duty with the European Under-21 Championship squad.
“I haven’t spoken to Federico Chiesa or his father yet.”