Genoa’s priority – as far as coach is concerned – remains to move forward with Alberto Gilardino. After the promotion to Serie A and the quiet salvation achieved in his first experience in the top flight, the Biella coach was given the first real offer from the rossoblù club after the increasingly frequent contacts in recent weeks with the agent Alessandro Moggi. On the table there is a three-year contract worth 1 million per season, a figure that essentially doubles the 500,000 euros plus bonus that Gilardino now receives. Not only that: attached there is also a clause that would allow the coach to free himself, in the event of an offer deemed to be an improvement (which Gilardino may believe to be Cairo’s), and the company to monetize at least a little the possible farewell.
Future Gilardino: between permanence and other shores
Less than two years ago, Gilardino was promoted from Primavera to lead the first team after Blessin’s dismissal. The coach himself, whose contract expires in June, has repeatedly reiterated that he is very attached to the rossoblù environment while making it clear that he wants to talk to the club about the technical project and the market prospects, both incoming and outgoing. , for the future. The recent statements by CEO Blazquez («We want to return to Europe within two years») confirm the ambitions of a company that will be called in the summer, given the debt restructuring agreement signed with the revenue agency, at least to a sale to respect the active balance on the market. The most uncertain future remains that of Gudmundsson, for whom there is no shortage of great suitors. A Genoa with European ambitions, net of an excellent start, could be fully embraced by Gilardino himself, beyond the competition from Turin and Fiorentina. And Genoa, at least until a different choice arrives from the interested party, at the moment does not seem to be focusing on other profiles for its bench.
Torino bid farewell to Juric: “Gila” in the orbit of substitutes
Gilardino is thus a concrete possibility for the Granata, who after three years are destined to say goodbye to Juric: the man who restored dignity to the environment, leaving the fight for salvation behind him, but a coach who, barring twists in this season finale, was unable to complete the important step: bringing a solid team to the European Cups . The coach and the group of players could have offered a greater performance, but objectively those who are ahead of Toro have something more. On a technical level, or on a game level, looking at Bologna who want to enter the Champions League and who are the big surprise of this championship. Within which newly promoted Genoa is the first of the small teams, twelfth – seven points behind Torino – and with many points lost in the final stages of the match. However, that of the rossoblù is undoubtedly a positive season, for what were the conditions, that is, a quiet salvation upon return to Serie A.
Gilardino-Palladino: former strikers with crossed destinies
Who had some more ambition, after finishing first ever in the top Italian tournament in eleventh place and just one point behind the Granata, is Monza. Even now trailing Toro, but with a 3 point gap. A Monza that had taken a turn after the decision to alternate the promotion coach, that is Stroppa, with Palladino. Promoted by Primavera thanks to a bet won by Galliani. Palladino first brought the Brianza team to the mid-table, and now he has also structured them there. Toro remains strong on the former striker, with Bologna also saying goodbye to Thiago Motta, and Fiorentina saying goodbye to Italiano and looking interested in Monza. Gilardino and Palladino represent in some ways a similar choice: the former has slightly more experiencehaving also led Rezzato in D, Pro Verceli and Siena in C (the Tuscans also in D), before Genoa promoted to A and therefore saved. Palladino instead made his debut in Serie A in Monza, however immediately demonstrating that he possesses and knows how to exercise the charisma to be first coach. However, they are similar profiles, young, coming from the Primavera, and with the desire to compete with a medium-sized, high-ambitious club like Toro.
Watch out for Italiano: the coach intrigues Torino
Among the many who will change in the summer, mention was made of Italiano, another candidate for the Granata bench. Here we would go in the name of tactical continuity, given the many similarities between Italiano and Juric, but in attack the offensive wingers that the Viola coach likes should be found, those fired in January due to lack of performance as well as Juric’s choice to focus on the formation with the two strikers. The departures of Radonjic, Karamoh and Seck will be remembered with the arrival of Okereke. Talking about the transfer market is premature, first Toro is called upon not to give up all the way in this championship, at the same time Cairo and Vagnati will have to start preparing for next season by announcing the name of the coach.
