Pantaleo Corvino is regarded as one of the top businessman in European football. But for Fiorentina director of sport Corvino, times have never been tougher. The ambitious Fiorentina of summer 2008 were the biggest spending club in Italy.
Led by Corvino, La Viola spent over €50 million, on big buys such as Alberto Gilardino, Juan Manuel Vargas, Felipe Melo and Steven ‘Jo Jo’ Jovetic, highlighting the Viola intention for a successful future.
Yet after one exciting run in the champions league and a couple of mediocre mid-table finishes later. Antonio Lazzari, Houssane Kharja, Santiago Silva are a few, whom Corvino has drafted in, to urge La Viola forward, but to little avail.
The Firenze outfit lay in 14th position come the end of 2011 and without back to back league wins in 37 months. Corvino needs a ‘big buy’ to recapture the faith and calm the critical Viola fanatics down.
Fans have shown their displeasure with banners and hoardings displayed at the clubs training facility in Coverciano.
There is even a poll introduced on Fiorentina fansite, entitled ‘Still believe in the quality of Pantaleo Corvino?’ fans have the option to vote in favor or against.
Obviously it’s not an easy task bringing in talent that he believes will make the grade. Corvino has came into criticism before, noteably over the capture of Vargas from Catania, what seemed a ridiculously expensive €12m purchase for a player who struggled in his first Viola campaign in the left back position, was soon to excel as one of Fiorentina’s best players when former coach Cesare Prandelli tried him in an attacking midfield role.
Corvino is also highly adapt in making a tidy profit on players, the sale of Felipe Melo to bitter rivals Juventus in the summer of 2009 was believed to be in the region of €21m, he was purchased a year earlier from Spanish club Almeria for considerably less.
However, the last couple of seasons has seen the high profile departures of Pablo Osvaldo, Giampaolo Pazzini, Sébastien Frey, Adrian Mutu, and most recently Alberto Gilardino. It’s thought Corvino lost out financially in Gilardino’s sale to Genoa.
The Rossoblu didn’t pay out as much if they’d bought him last summer! Corvino was also quoted as saying “I don’t want unmotivated people like him (Gilardino) in my team.” Well if that’s the case, then an ultimatum should be issued throughout that of the current squad.
Viola captain Riccardo Montolivo, who’s ambitions didn’t match that of the once ambitious club he plays for, has also been entangled over a war of words with Corvino, and is set for a summer departure. I’m sure Montolivo’s thoughts echo that of the Viola faithful, who like myself, are frustrated and restless with second rate players gracing the purple jersey.
Just that one instance of quality business from Corvino this winter can at least inject some hope for a more positive second half of the season for Fiorentina, because we know Corvino can do it.
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Nice article, with the feelings of Fiorentina tifosi well surmised. I’d also add, though, that Adem Ljajic might turn out to be a great signing this time next season. Lots of potential.