Sampdoria President Massimo Ferrero is confident they can avoid relegation and reveals he had offered Gianluca Vialli the club Presidency.
Their season resumes on Sunday at 20.45 UK time (19.45 GMT) against Inter, click here for a match preview.
“I am a positive person who always fights to get the best out of a bad situation,” he told La Repubblica newspaper.
Sampdoria President Massimo Ferrero is confident they can avoid relegation and reveals he had offered Gianluca Vialli the club Presidency.
Their season resumes on Sunday at 20.45 UK time (19.45 GMT) against Inter, click here for a match preview.
“I am a positive person who always fights to get the best out of a bad situation,” he told La Repubblica newspaper.
“Massimo Ferrero is not afraid of debt or the possibility of falling into Serie B. We and 10 other teams are prepared for three games per week, but my players are heroes and I am sure that all of them – especially those who contracted Coronavirus – will be even more combative. I believe in their tenacity and that of Claudio Ranieri.”
Ferrero had been in advanced negotiations to sell Sampdoria to an American group, headed by club legend Vialli, but the talks broke down.
“Samp are not for sale. I had received a proposal, it didn’t go well, but that was not my fault. Before the negotiations, I had asked Vialli to join the Board of Directors, but he said no. I even suggested he become the club President and I’d remain as owner, but he declined.
“Quite simply, I had wanted €90m plus bonuses, but I dropped my asking price to €80m and could’ve sealed a deal at €76m. They never stepped up to meet it. I will not give this club to those who don’t recognise the real value of the most important colours in the world.
“As for those who say I’d sell if Sampdoria went into Serie B, that’s not true either, because it actually costs less to play in Serie B, as the salaries would drop significantly.
“This is a matter of principle and pride. I bought Samp in Serie A and that’s where they must stay.”