Manchester City CEO Ferran Soriano reveals that Pep Guardiola could coach in Serie A one day.
City Group has bought a majority stake in Palermo and Soriano attended a press conference on Monday to unveil the club’s plans for the future and the new organization under the new ownership.
Soriano was asked whether he had spoken to Pep Guardiola following the deal to acquire the Rosanero.
“He asked if it’s sunny in Palermo. Perhaps, he will work here one day,” he said, as quoted by Calciomercato.com.
Guardiola has never coached in Serie A but played in Italy in the early 2000s for Brescia and Roma.
“He knows everything we do and he knows Italian football well. Like the others, he is excited about the deal,” Soriano continued.
“We have a budget which should allow us to remain in Serie B and have a chance to get promoted to Serie A. We have a dream and must have ambition, humility, smartness and patience.
“The stadium is fundamental and the Barbera is fantastic. The national teams play here, so there is not much to do.
“The important thing is that it will always be full. The most important part of the job is to convince Palermo fans to come to the stadium. We need their passion to make the club grow. That’s our main target.”
Alberto Galassi, one of the members of City’s board of directors, revealed in an interview with Sky Sport Italia that the new owners would soon build a new training centre for the Rosanero.
He confirmed that Dario Mirri would remain in charge as the club’s president despite owning a minority stake in the club.
The new owners have also confirmed coach Silvio Baldini and sporting director Renzo Castagnini following last season’s promotion to Serie B.