Zamp targets Champions League
Palermo President Maurizio Zamparini believes his side should be able to qualify for the Champions League now Walter Zenga is in charge.
The Rosanero are being very bullish ahead of next season with a number of players coming out and saying the same thing to the Press.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Zamparini also took the chance to deny being Italy's No 1 'mangiallenatori', which literally means coach eater.
“The Zamparini you describe is that of sports writing. The real Zamparini is a 68-year-old businessman who knows how to do his job,” he explained.
“I am a loyal and sincere person. My telephone is always switched on. I am not the Della Valle brothers who try to put you in line, but I defend my way of acting because whoever puts in the money has the sacred right to intervene.”
Asked to describe his passions, Zamparini replied: “Literature. I read at least one book a week. I like biographies, histories, science and physics. I have a book on quantum physics on my bedside table right now.”
After talking about politics, Zamparini returned to the subject of football, saying: “The top of football is the sector that suffers the least.
“The problem is that they continue to increase the compensation due coaches, players and agents. The agents are the ransom holders and the clubs don't know how to defend themselves.”
Zamparini had particular praise for Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis who didn't give in to contract demands made by his star player Ezequiel Lavezzi.
“De Laurentiis was very good. We cannot allow a young lad to have tantrums. We pay footballers even when they don't play.”
Asked if he believes footballers are leaving Italy because they can get higher wages elsewhere, Zamparini replied: “Football in Italy gives too much to the state. Palermo are the top contributors in Sicily.”
Turning his attention to next season, Zamparini explained why he decided to entrust the bench to Walter Zenga, the former Catania Head Coach.
“I had to find a new trainer because Ballardini had decided to leave, showing he really wasn't worth much as a man. He fled Palermo throwing out all kinds of excuses. He didn't have the courage to tell the truth. He had a deal with Lazio,” Zamparini revealed.
“However, I beat Lotito 2-0. I got Sabatini off him, the best Italian director of sport, and now he has hired Ballardini. I chose Zenga because he obtained good results with Catania.”
Confronted with the fact he had sacked some 28 coaches in his career, Zamparini was asked how long he would give Zenga in the hot seat.
“I will resist [sacking him] for a long time because he accepts meetings and dialogue. We are focusing on the Champions League and in my opinion we'll get there,” he concluded.
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