The race for Ciro Polito’s succession is in its final rush. Yesterday the Magalini-Vivarini tandem took off, respectively sporting director and coach of Catanzaro. The 62-year-old from Verona’s contract expires on June 30. A meeting with the president of the Calabrian club Noto is scheduled between today and tomorrow. It is possible that a renewal will be put on the table with a robust salary increase. An inevitable option to retain Magalini who, with general manager Foresti, proved to be the architect of Catanzaro’s extraordinary two-year period, a harbinger first of promotion to Serie B and then of qualification for the playoffs.
De Laurentiis observes
Bari is therefore in the window, thanks to the approval that has already been expressed by the sporting director. The last contact between the parties dates back to last week. In the event of a black smoke with the Giallorossi, the manager of Villafranca di Verona would be the most popular solution for the post-Polito period. In the event of a transfer to Puglia he would bring Vincenzo Vivarini with him. The Abruzzo coach left an excellent memory in Bari, taking over from Cornacchini in the 2019-2020 Serie B season, setting the record of 27 consecutive useful results, before losing in the playoff final against Reggiana. The 58-year-old from Ari was not confirmed for the following season, leaving room for the Romairone-Auteri duo. A choice always a source of great regret, never hidden, on the part of president Luigi De Laurentiis.
In the meantime, yesterday another name appeared for the DS seat: it is the 37-year-old Matteo Tognozzi from Pisa. Formerly Juventus’ chief scout, he gained managerial experience in St. Petersburg, Hamburg and Leverkusen (two years). In the last season he worked as sporting director in Granada, in Spain. Tognozzi has also been linked to Palermo. Gemmi’s potential candidacy disappeared from the brawl: Empoli’s blitz was decisive. The Tuscan club, orphan of Accardi, destined for Sampdoria, convinced the sporting director of Cosenza, who will therefore land in Serie A.
Meanwhile, speaking of regrets, bittersweet news for Bari fans: the former red and white midfielder Folorunsho (owned by Napoli) was yesterday included in the definitive list of the Azzurri called to defend the title at the next European championships in Germany. Last two years to remember for the 26-year-old Roman: first the extraordinary championship with the Galletti, with 8 goals in 27 games (career record), decisive for third place and reaching the playoff final, then the salvation achieved with Verona, scoring 5 goals in 34 games.
