Salerno
Gaetano Fontana could be the surprise name for the Salernitana bench. The Calabrian coach, who has already coached Nocerina, Juve Stabia, Casertana and Turris in Campania, was contacted by the sporting director Gianluca Petrachi to collect the legacy of Andrea Subtle. In May, the coach signed a contract renewal with Latina, a Serie C club that appeared taken aback and at times annoyed by the negotiations set up by Salernitana. “Fontana? He’s under contract with us, we know he’s been linked to Salernitana in the last few hours, let’s see”, was the version provided by the Lazio club.
The idea of focusing on a young profile ready to compete with the cadet team for the first time was already in Petrachi’s head yesterday. Today the ds had a telephone contact with the ds of Pontini Mauro Patti, showing the seahorse’s interest in Gaetano Fontana. A move that literally stunned the Latina manager who was already working to plan the next season with his coach. The renewal (annual contract with option for the following season) was, in fact, announced last May 30th by the Nerazzurri who wanted to build the new season around the figure of the former midfielder. The inclusion of Salernitana, however, risks ruining Latina’s plans.
In the next few hours, probably tomorrow, a meeting is planned between the Nerazzurri’s sporting director and the Calabrian coach to understand the path to follow. The contract with Latina has already been filed but, if the conditions are right, it will be necessary to identify the path to reach the contractual resolution. Fontana, clearly, appeared very enthusiastic about Salernitana’s call and has reportedly given a general availability to the Granata management. Latina’s position is more complicated as they would find themselves without a coach a few weeks before the start of the new season. Fontana’s will, however, could make the difference.
At this point, it remains to be seen whether the Granata club will be able to free Fontana, who could represent a real wild card for a project in the name of economic sustainability. Alternatively, the Granata club has also explored the profiles of Eugenio Corini, Cristiano Lucarelli and Fabio Caserta. All this while disappointment and discontent are mounting in the city.
