Catania are almost certainly getting relegated following their heavy 4-0 loss to Hellas Verona this past weekend. Still, it appears as if the club’s already planning their future in Serie B and beyond.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the Rossazzurri are evaluating Livorno’s Davide Nicola and Sassuolo’s Eusebio Di Francesco as potential coaches once the campaign finishes.
As to whether or not either candidate is the right fit, there’s no question. Nicola and Di Francesco are two standout coaches who’ve done fantastic things with their respective sides, especially the latter. He took one of the smallest clubs to ever be promoted to Serie A and may keep them up for another year.
Nicola has been impressive as well, Livorno’s a team that has been built with young, on-loan players in order to avoid the drop. The Amaranto have 11 different members from another team on their books for the 2013/14 campaign. However, the plan that the club have undertaken may not pay off.
Livorno have 25 points and are three away from safety. With three games left, Nicola could very well keep them up, but if the Labronici get relegated, maybe they’ll part ways with Nicola and he’ll become available.
As for Di Francesco, he may not be sacked at all. He plays an entertaining brand of football, though while at Lecce, that style was the reason he was relieved of his duties back in 2011/12. Even though the Giallorossi scored 40 goals and conceded 56, neither of which constituted relegation, the former Romanista was fired.
Di Francesco’s Sassuolo have scored 34 goals and have conceded 65, though take away the seven they allowed against Inter and it’s 58. Nonetheless, the tactician is on pace to replicate those categories from his Lecce days. Regardless of what the Neroverdi’s final position is in the Serie A table, the front office may not have the guts to sack him. After all, if Alberto Malesani didn’t take over, maybe the club would be safe by now.
As for which coach is the best fit for Catania, it seems that it would be Di Francesco. The Rossazzurri are bottom of the league in goals scored. They have the talent to be a lot stronger up front, but the departures of key players in the summer and the failure to replace them has hurt the Elefanti.
Injuries were an issue as well, but surely if Maran had taken more risks, Catania would’ve earned the occasional draw. Those few extra points add up, the Sicilians could realistically stay up had they simply thrown everything at their opponents.
Di Francesco has done that his entire coaching career and it’s lead him to plenty of success. However, since it’s highly likely that he won’t be available, Nicola is the realistic option, which is perfectly fine.
Nicola’s Livorno have scored two more goals than Di Francesco’s Sassuolo, but have conceded four more goals. However, Catania’s defence is a lot stronger than the Amaranto.
While in Serie B, Livorno earned 80 points, scored one goal fewer than Sassuolo, and were fourth in terms of goals allowed. Catania would do well with Nicola in charge if they get relegated.
Regardless of who president Antonino Pulvirenti hires, it’s relieving to see that he’s trying to fix this debacle by bringing in a coach that can turn the team around.
