Eccentric and outspoken Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero has called for there to be more balance in Serie A, a league he says his side can battle until the end to win.
Once again though, he was pointing his ire at Juventus and Andrea Agnelli, saying that the difference between the Bianconeri and most of the rest of the division was one of “social class”.
In a lengthy interview with Corriere dello Sport, he began: “Well, Agnelli… Juve are Juve and they have a supremacy that they feel. There is no other way to say it. I am the son of a tram driver, he is the son of a man who helped build Fiat.
“I think that there should be more balance around the league, even in TV rights.”
Ferrero was a man who perhaps breathed a sigh of relief when Roberto Mancini was given the Inter job, meaning that they would not come calling down Genoa way, trying to take his coach away.
“Football is not an exact science,” Ferrero continued. “I love my coach and I know that he has the qualities to do well at a big club. There is a great mutual respect between us and it is clear that I would like him to stay here for a long time.
“As with Boskov and Mantovani, I want us to win together.”
From there, Ferrero turned his thoughts to January and the circus that accompanies it, refusing to rule out a return for Antonio Cassano (something that would have been unthinkable under the previous presidency) and insisting they want to keep their big stars.
“Cassano? He had the chance to stay here.. I look forward to seeing him grow, and sometimes we text each other, I love him so never say never. Okaka will not be sold in January and we will soon be meeting with his agent to discuss a new contract. He is a great guy and calls me dad and we would not want him to leave even if Real Madrid wanted him!
“I believe he will stay. We would also like to keep Romagnoli who is on loan.”
He concluded by giving his reasoning behind his statement that this Sampdoria can push the top sides all the way for the Scudetto.
“Why not? It is possible in this league more than any other. Apart from Roma and Juventus, Napoli have great players but then who? Inter beat us with a 91st minute penalty..
“We can think of Europe even but we will not look past Cesena then the other games. My lads will show how strong they are.”
