Sporting director Walter Sabatini believes Antonio Conte will return in Serie A next season and thinks Milan director Frederic Massara will call Luis Enrique if Stefano Pioli leaves the Rossoneri.
Sabatini is one of the most experienced sporting directors in Italy, having worked, among others, for Roma and Inter.
Luciano Spalletti and Luis Enrique were in charge of the Giallorossi during Sabatini’s time in the capital, when Massara, now at Milan also worked at the Stadio Olimpico.
Sabatini believes the Rossoneri director will call the Spanish tactician if Pioli gets sacked or leaves San Siro in the summer.
“Luis has improved so much and is at the same level as the big coaches,” he told Gazzetta.
“Assuming Pioli will be sacked, it can’t be ruled out that he [Massara] will call Luis Enrique. He knows him well and he cannot avoid considering him.”
The 67-year-old predicts a bright future for Napoli in the Champions League. The Partenopei are en route to winning their third Serie A title and have been drawn with Milan in the quarter-finals of Europe’s elite competition.
“Not being able to do the same at Roma is a big regret I have. That team wasn’t as strong as Napoli, but we went at the same crazy pace for a long time,” said Sabatini, recalling his time with Spalletti in the Capital.
“To me, Napoli will reach the Champions League Final and I told Spalletti as well. They are the most European team, it’s annoying they’ll do so by eliminating Milan.”
What does he make of Massimiliano Allegri?
“Finishing second would be a great result. They would be second without the point penalty, he’s managed to handle the dressing room despite the -15.”
Antonio Conte has returned to Italy, and there are reports Tottenham will sack him this week and Sabatini predicts a return to Serie A for the Italian tactician.
“This is him, when he doesn’t see results, he gets mad. He’ll leave Tottenham and I see him returning to Serie A.”
Last but not least, the ex-Bologna and Salernitana director shared his view on Roma and Mourinho.
“He plays speculative football and I don’t love him even if he is able to shape the team to his project. One always knows what sort of game Roma will play. Sunday’s derby would have been a draw if it wasn’t for Felipe Anderson and Mattia Zaccagni. He’ll accomplish a feat if he finishes fourth. The team is shaking in many departments and Paulo Dybala is the only, real phenomenon.”