In a dramatic turn of events for U.C. Sampdoria, the club has announced a significant overhaul of its coaching staff and management in a bid to avoid relegation from Serie B. Following a disappointing performance that saw them drop to third-to-last place with just 32 points, tied with Reggiana, the club has made the bold decision to appoint Alberico Evani as the new head coach. This move comes after the firing of Leonardo Semplici, the third coach to be dismissed this season after Andrea Pirlo and Marco Sottil, following a 2-0 defeat against Spezia that proved to be the tipping point.
Evani, a former player for Sampdoria, will take the reins starting April 8, 2025, with his first training session scheduled for 3 PM. He will be assisted by Attilio Lombardo, another club legend, marking a nostalgic return to the club's roots as they attempt to navigate through this tumultuous season.
In addition to the coaching changes, the club has also welcomed back Roberto Mancini, who will serve as the Head of Performance, or technical director. Mancini, who played for Sampdoria from 1982 to 1997, brings a wealth of experience and a deep emotional connection to the club. His return is seen as a crucial step in stabilizing the team and providing guidance to the new coaching staff.
According to reports, the idea of Mancini's return originated in a light-hearted chat among former Sampdoria players, where the sentiment to help the club during this crisis was strong. Initially, Mancini was approached to take on the head coaching role, but after considering the demands of such a position, he opted for a more supportive role within the management structure. This decision was welcomed by the club's president, Manfredi, who sought Mancini's expertise for the remaining two months of the season.
As part of this sweeping change, Andrea Mancini, Roberto's son, will also return to the club as the new sporting director, while Giovanni Invernizzi will assume a more prominent role in the management team. This restructuring aims to leverage the experience of past players to foster a sense of stability and trust among the current squad and the fans.
The recent changes reflect the club's urgent need to revitalize its fortunes amidst a dire situation. Sampdoria's struggles this season have been evident, and the pressure has mounted on the club's leadership to act decisively. The team's performance has left fans anxious about the prospect of relegation to Serie C, a fate that would have disastrous implications for the club's future.
In a statement released by the club on April 7, 2025, Sampdoria expressed gratitude to Semplici and his staff for their efforts during a challenging season, acknowledging the need for a fresh approach to turn around their fortunes. The announcement of Semplici's dismissal, along with the termination of the contracts of Pietro Accardi, the head of the Technical Area, and his assistant Giuseppe Colucci, underscores the urgency with which the club is addressing its current predicament.
The upcoming weeks will be critical for Sampdoria as they aim to implement this new strategy under Evani's leadership and Mancini's guidance. Fans are hopeful that the combination of experienced figures from the club's storied past can help steer the team away from the relegation zone and back to safety.
The atmosphere around the club is charged with a mix of optimism and apprehension. While the return of familiar faces is seen as a positive step, the reality of their current position in the league looms large. With the stakes higher than ever, the new management will need to hit the ground running to instill confidence in the players and the fanbase.
As the team prepares for its next matches, all eyes will be on Evani and his staff to see if they can harness the passion and history of Sampdoria to inspire a turnaround. The upcoming fixtures will be pivotal, and every point will count as they strive to escape the clutches of relegation.
Ultimately, this is a moment of reckoning for Sampdoria, a club with a rich history and a passionate fanbase. The decisions made in the coming weeks will have lasting implications, not just for this season but for the future of the club. With the right leadership and a return to their roots, there is hope that Sampdoria can rise above the challenges they face and secure their place in Serie B.
