Newly-returned to Serie A, Sampdoria” data-scaytid=”2″>Sampdoria are reportedly considering a change of Coach, with Espanyol’s Mauricio Pochettino top of the list.
Newly-returned to Serie A, Sampdoria are reportedly considering a change of Coach, with Espanyol’s Mauricio Pochettino top of the list.
Beppe Iachini successfully took the Blucerchiati back to the top flight at the first time of asking last season, via the play-offs, which culminated in an aggregate final win over Varese.
However, reports indicate that President Ricardo Garrone is keen for a new direction on the bench, with Delio Rossi and Gian Piero Gasperini both mentioned as possible replacements.
Espanyol’s Pochettino, though, is believed in Spain and now by the Corriere dello Sport to be the prime candidate. A former Argentine international centre-back, the 40-year-old has had spells as a player in Argentina and France, but spent a total of eight years across two separate spells on the books of the Spanish side.
Upon retirement, Pochettino moved into coaching and returned to Espanyol as Coach in January 2009, where he has remained ever since.
However, it is understood that Samp have come to Pochettino with a three-year plan and a contract offer stronger than that he is on at the Estadi Cornella-El Prat, and as such, he is considering it.
Catalan publication Sport allege that this prompted Espanyol to hold an emergency board meeting on Tuesday, where Pochettino has been given assurances of the Spaniards’ own wish for continuity.
The Coach is believed to have been given a few days to come to a decision on his future.