It’s a strange week in Liguria, where new Genoa President Alberto Zangrillo prepares for his first Derby della Lanterna against Sampdoria, who are dealing with the aftermath of Massimo Ferrero’s arrest.
Ferrero stepped down as President for Sampdoria after he was arrested during a trip to Milan and has spent a few nights in jail due to a bankruptcy case that has nothing to do with the Blucerchiati.
Sampdoria were in the middle of negotiations with Dejan Stankovic, who seemed set to replace Roberto D’Aversa in the dugout at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.
The Governor of Liguria, Giovanni Toti, didn’t want to comment on the case regarding Ferrero and hopes to get an explanation directly from the Sampdoria owner.
Official: Ferrero steps down as Sampdoria president after arrest
Ferrero was close to selling the club in 2019 and has now stepped down from the role as President with immediate effect, with Gianluca Vialli and his group of investors expected to make another attempt to take over the Blucerchiati.
The Samp owner remains locked up in San Vittore while the investigation continues, and the entire Sampdoria board of directors are expected to part ways with the club.
Sampdoria CEO Alberto Bosco has currently been placed in charge of the team and D’Aversa’s job is still uncertain.
The operating director has been given the powers to carry out the ordinary operations of the club, who was on the verge of changing coaches.
But everything is on standby ahead of the biggest game of the year in Liguria, between the two arch-rivals sharing the same stadium at Marassi.
The fans are hoping to see Vialli take over the club, while awaiting an explanation from Ferrero. Another earthquake has hit the club ahead of the Derby della Lanterna.
Zangrillo will arrive at his first derby as Genoa President without the possibility to greet the opponent’s owner.
But the Genoa President didn’t want to comment on the situation at the local rivals. According to Sky Sport Italia he follows the news with ‘respect and regret’, as he will not be able to shake Ferrero’s hand on Friday night.
“I hope that what I cannot do in three days, can be done in the future,” he said, according to the broadcaster. “But this is a topic I don’t want to dwell on.”
Sampdoria are currently five points above Genoa in the table, as the Rossoblu sit 19th after 16 games. A win in the derby would boost both sides, but could be even more destructive for the Blucerchiati, who arrive after back-to-back defeats to Fiorentina and Lazio.
Genoa, however, are without a win in 13 games and are still looking for their first success under new coach Andriy Shevchenko.