President Massimo Ferrero believes Sampdoria “can win the Scudetto with Sinisa Mihajlovic as my Vujadin Boskov.”
President Massimo Ferrero believes Sampdoria “can win the Scudetto with Sinisa Mihajlovic as my Vujadin Boskov.”
The patron spoke to the Corriere dello Sport about his plans for the club, which he bought out in May.
“Can we win the Scudetto? It’s entirely possible, more in this League than others. On the one hand you have Roma and Juventus, then Napoli have great players, but after that? Inter beat us with a penalty at the 91st minute…
“My lads will prove how strong they are on the field this season, game after game.”
Mihajlovic has been the architect of Samp’s revival and with Roberto Mancini signing a long-term contract at Inter is more likely to remain at Marassi.
“Football is not an exact science. I love my Coach and know he has the quality for a big club. There is reciprocal respect, freedom and civility.
“Clearly I’d like him to stay for a long time, like Boskov did with Mantovani, so we can win together.”
It was Boskov who was on the bench when Sampdoria won their only Scudetto in 1990-91.
There have been reports Sampdoria will bring back Antonio Cassano from troubled Parma, while Stefano Okaka and Manolo Gabbiadini have been linked with moves away.
“I have many little Cassanos to watch grow up at Sampdoria. I do care about him and every now and then we exchange messages. Never say never,” replied Ferrero.
“I will not sell Okaka in January and we are meeting with his agent to extend the contract. If Real Madrid ask for him, then I’d let him go… Romagnoli is on loan from Roma and a great lad, he even calls me Dad.”
The President also revealed why he gave up on advanced negotiations to sign River Plate’s Colombian defender Eder Balanta.
“I was about to fly out to Argentina, but every day a new agent emerged or someone who owned a portion of his contract. I spoke to the River President, then let it go.
“It will be a problem for anyone to sign him and this is why we support the FIFA move to ensure only clubs can own players. No more speculators.”