The return of Sven-Göran Eriksson he was greeted by the over 27 thousand spectators present in the stands of the Luigi Ferraris stadium in Marassi (Genoa) as well as by the embrace of his former players, who wanted to be at his side as in those five years of experience he lived on the Sampdoria bench.
It was a touching moment, when the former Sampdoria coach returned to the pitch to receive the standing ovation from an audience that has never forgotten him, also because that Italian Cup brought to Genoa in the 1993/1994 season, it is the last trophy put up by Sampdoria. And that cup, placed on a pedestal in midfield, was also there waiting for him.
Eriksson, who landed yesterday, Saturday 4 May, had a meeting with the current coach Andrea Pirlo and with the team, as well as with the president Matteo Manfredi. The former coach recalled with emotion those years spent on the bench of the Sampdoriaa team coached for five seasons, from 1992/1993 to 1996/1997: for him 199 appearances in total, a third place in the championship as the best result in the standings and a trophy won. “They were five splendid years, even if we hadn’t won much”has explained, “and a part of my heart is still Blucerchiati”.
On the eve of a very delicate moment for the season, with the aim of returning to Serie A, the Sampdoria club wanted to have its former coach close by, inviting him to Marassi to be able to receive the embrace of a people who still love him, and who were struck by the news of that incurable disease against which he is continuing to fight.
His moment came an hour before the start of the match between Sampdoria and Reggiana: it was 2.48pm, when Eriksson received the embrace of around twenty of the former players he coached in that five-year period, including the former technical commissioner of the Italian national football team Roberto Mancini. Then he entered the field: alongside him Mancini and Manfredi. The stadium explodes in a roar: everyone stand up for the former coach Eriksson, against whom the people of the South sing a chorus. Tears, emotion and lots of applause for him. The Italian Cup won with the team is located in midfield, while fans unroll two banners. The first, “20.04.94 thank you mister Eriksson“refers to the day he won the trophy, the other day, however, is all for him: “We will support you in this battle too. Welcome back to Genoa, Mister Eriksson”.
The former Blucerchiati coach bows in front of the South, while smoke bombs in the Sampdoria club colors go off in the stands, invading the pitch until the starting whistle of the match.
Eriksson watches the entrance of the two teams and then goes up to the stands to cheer and enjoy a last hug by the Sampdoria people.
