Sampdoria President Riccardo Garrone has admitted that Rafa Benitez is one of their prime candidates to take charge as Coach this summer.
Sampdoria President Riccardo Garrone has admitted that Rafa Benitez is one of their prime candidates to take charge as Coach this summer.
After achieving promotion back to Serie A at the first time of asking, Garrone has initiated a search to replace current tactician Beppe Iachini, despite Iachini’s automatic contract renewal for having taken the team up.
Reports previously understood that Mauricio Pochettino was a candidate, before he committed to Espanyol, whilst this week rumours have suggested Didier Deschamps is in contention now. However, it is believed that talks with Benitez, that began last week, are progressing onwards – something that Garrone hinted at today.
“Benitez is one possibility,” Garrone told reporters on Tuesday at Genoa’s Science Expo.
“There is nothing concrete, but there has been contact, it is in progress. It does not mean that tomorrow we will see him here, there are no trips planned. But, we care about the team.
“[His arrival] remains to be seen, though. I cannot deny that we are interested, but there’s still a little way to go and I cannot say that it will necessarily end in a positive way.”
The President then had an interesting response to being asked if he preferred Benitez as an option for the team.
“I don’t even know him. Do I rate him? Even after 10 years of experience, I have not really come to understand the true values of both Coaches and players.”