“I wanted to stop in my Sardinia”

The match lost against Spal was not just the farewell of theOlbia to Serie C, but also the last match of Daniele Dessena: the midfielder has decided to hang up his boots, with the Gallura club wanting to pay homage to the former Cagliari player with a commemorative plaque.

Dessena commented on his decision in the press room as follows: “It’s difficult to talk at a time like this, after a relegation. It’s painful. I stop playing because my time has come, despite the relegation. I feel like I gave everything, I achieved an objective that perhaps means nothing to people, given the relegation, but my objective was to stop in Sardinia after ten years in Cagliari and two years here in Olbia. I feel like one of you. It’s a decision that doesn’t mean abandoning ship or killing yourself, it’s just that I believe I’ve given a lot, I’m speaking in the singular because perhaps it’s the first time I’ve been selfish in my career, but I’m living this moment like this. I understand the fans’ anger but they will always remain in my heart. I don’t want to be an ass kisser, I don’t want anything, they have always given me so much right up to the end. Then many things can be interpreted from the outside, but I care a lot about the shirt. There were moments during the year when I didn’t sleep but these are things that are part of the world of football. I’m disappointed with how the season went, a lot, but I think my time has come. I want to thank all my teammates, my wife, my son Tommaso and the unborn child, who is perhaps the only regret that will not see me play. I thank all my family. I think I have always been a man, without personal interests, right or wrong decisions but always with a clear conscience and clean about myself.”

There decision
“I was already thinking about it during the season, it was something that was wearing me down. Perhaps also thanks to the results, given that six months ago I signed the renewal for another two years. But at 37 you feel like you’ve given everything and want to step aside. Maybe the feeling of not being able to give something more, but even if we had been saved I think I wouldn’t have made a different choice. As well as the possibility of second thoughts, I don’t like these things. From today a new life must begin.”

Future in football?
“I see myself more as a coach, I have already done the UEFA B course but now let’s see little by little what to do. We have to start from scratch, with the same passion. Life always gives you something. It’s clear that we now need to get over this year of strong disappointment. I hope to see Olbia return to the professional ranks immediately because all the people deserve it, you deserve it”

Claudio inconis