“There has been no U-turn. And above all, Walter Mazzarri has not been overtaken by anyone”. This is the direct message from Roberto Pingioriagent of Eracle Sport LTD, conducted the negotiations that would have brought the former Napoli coach to the bench of Persepolis, an Iranian football club from Tehran that plays in the top division. “We did everything possible to complete everything. Simply – Pingiori explains to the microphones of Gianlucadimarzio.com – we did not find the economic agreement. Future? We are evaluating new opportunities together with Walter”.
After leaving Napoli, Mazzarri’s arrival at Persepolis seemed a done deal. “We sat down at a table. Me, Walter, Reza Darvish and Hossein Badamaki (respectively president and vice president of the club, ed.). Kioumars Hashemi, the Iranian Minister of Sports, also intervened to give us a hand in closing the deal – adds Pingiori – I conducted the operation alone. Without the help of intermediaries. We had the Italian translators give us a hand, nothing more”.
Mazzarri will not be the coach of Persepolis. “We parted on excellent terms. And indeed – adds the agent – the club was waiting for Walter’s approval to start the transfer market”. A strong decision by the club. Which confirms (once again) the great desire to bring Walter to Iran. “We did not find an agreement and we advised the club to move in another direction”. After a long negotiation, lasting three weeks in total, Mazzarri and the club parted on excellent terms. And Persepolis decided to entrust the bench to Juan Carlos Garrido. A coach that you might probably remember for his past at Villarreal from 2001 to 2011.
The issue is very clear. Mazzarri asked for a two-year contract. Persepolis, on the other hand, proposed a one-year contract with an option to renew in the event of… “Winning the championship. Along with the confirmation there would have been an adjustment to the contract. We were very available. But our idea was still far from the proposal”. Mazzarri scrutinizes. Evaluates and reasons. Waiting for the next challenge.
