In an exclusive interview, potential Palermo buyer Frank Cascio talks to Football-Italia.net about passion for calcio, uniting Sicilians everywhere and Michael Jackson inspiration.
Italian-American entrepreneur Cascio flew in to the Peninsula this week for advanced negotiations with Palermo President Maurizio Zamparini to buy the Serie A club.
In an exclusive interview, potential Palermo buyer Frank Cascio talks to Football-Italia.net about passion for calcio, uniting Sicilians everywhere and Michael Jackson inspiration.
Italian-American entrepreneur Cascio flew in to the Peninsula this week for advanced negotiations with Palermo President Maurizio Zamparini to buy the Serie A club.
Zamparini has been on the verge of selling the Rosanero many times before, but always pulled back, so what do you bring that others didn’t?
“I think that Zamparini is a man of passions and emotions. He is tied to the city of Palermo so he wants to find the right people, not just the right buyer. This has been one of the things we talked about the past two days.
“I think that he saw in me the solidity of a strong project but also my passion for it. There is something unique with this situation, me being from Palermo.”
How did your passion for Palermo and Italian football begin?
“It really goes back to my roots. Football is something my family and many other like mine is embedded with. I would watch the games with my grandfather – Nonno Ciccio – and my father Dominic. So it's not a sport anymore, it becomes love and what would life be without love?
What could Rosanero fans expect from a Cascio club?
“They can expect the full time dedication to the team and a solid investment plan. This means taking care of every aspect of the team, from the psychology of the players to making a match an event for fans that will feel they are part of something special.
“As I said before Palermo for me isn't just a business, that means that decision making won't be strictly driven by numbers but also by heart. I want to make the fans proud, I want to give them the winning team that they deserve.
“There are over 90 thousand Sicilians living in the United States and many more in other European countries. I want to bring us together, as a family, as us Sicilians do and together create our new future.”
Your mentor was Michael Jackson and you spent many years working with him in various roles. Does this mean you're ready for anything when it comes to the pressure of the Italian sports Press and supporters?
“Yes for sure. Michael has inspired me in many different ways. He was a visionary and an innovator but sometimes that meant being ahead of times, seeing a bigger picture that people don't see yet. And for this there will always be people ready to criticize.
“I've seen some amazing things happening around Michael, so I'm more than ready to step up to the plate and I'm honoured to accept the challenge. I will always be honest, good or bad, and every decision I will make it will be for the best.”
How far have negotiations progressed and is the plan for a total takeover of Palermo, keeping Zamparini on as a shareholder or even as Honorary President?
“The negotiations are moving along at the right speed. These past days have been fundamental to show to Zamparini who I am and what I stand for. I believe that there is a comfort level at this point one with each other.
“I cannot get into the details of the deal but I can say that Zamparini brings to the table many years of seeing the game from the inside: whatever role he might have, he will always be a source of knowledge and experience that I will go to.”
Your motto is: "If opportunity does not knock, build a door." Will that apply to the world of football as well? Leicester City shocked everyone by winning the Premier League, so could an Italian club do the same in Serie A?
“It applies to everything in life. I feel that we live in a more and more passive world where people many times sit around complaining for the lack of a real opportunity in life. But we can take our future in our hands and we can shape it.
“Leicester City is a great example that transcends football. People might feel like they are Leicester City, but they too can win their own Premier League. The Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA, all around us, big or small we have success stories, people who fight against the odds and come up on the top. And yes, Palermo too.
“Us Sicilians are a bit of the underdogs of Italy: the island doesn't have the strongest economy and the people still have to fight against old prejudices. This is one of the reasons why I want to unite the Palermo family and build together our own success story, build our own door. “
Who would be your ideal Coach in charge of Palermo? Do you prefer a side full of home-grown talent or importing the best available players?
“I think that it's premature to get into these details. But I've been a soccer fan and analyst since the age of four. What I can say is that the Coaches and players that fit into my plan are those who are hungry, who want to prove themselves and that buy into our project and our mentality.
“I also am a great believer in home growing talent, investing in our youth because they will grow up ‘getting it.’ I have many names I'd like to get involved and as soon as the times will be right, I'll be happy to go into much greater detail on this topic.”