Last season, Sampdoria fans endured a rollercoaster ride of emotions as their beloved club teetered on the edge of bankruptcy, prompting passionate protests against their previous owners. It’s a far cry from the Sampdoria of more than 30 years ago, when they were among Europe’s footballing elite. Led by iconic figures like Gianluca Vialli and Roberto Mancini, they clinched a Serie A title, triumphed in the Cup Winners’ Cup, and narrowly missed out on a European Cup final victory against Barcelona at the iconic Wembley Stadium.
Fast forward to today, and life has taken a sharp turn for I Blucerchiati. Relegated to Italy’s second tier last season and helmed by the legendary Andrea Pirlo as their manager, they find themselves closer to a second consecutive drop than a triumphant return to the big leagues.
The club’s fortunes have suffered a decade of mismanagement, bringing them perilously close to financial collapse. But can their new owners, Andrea Radrizzani (formerly associated with Leeds United) and Matteo Manfredi, achieve their lofty mission of “bringing Sampdoria back to the glory and joy of the ’90s”?
A defiant banner at their final Serie A home game last May proclaimed, ‘From hell we shall return.’ However, the journey has been nothing short of tumultuous, marked by unsettling incidents like a severed pig’s head and even bullet cases sent to the previous owners.
A Club Sold for a Symbolic Euro
The 2022-23 season was one that Sampdoria would rather forget. The untimely passing of club legend Gianluca Vialli at the age of 58 was followed by relegation after an 11-year stint in Italy’s top flight. They were on the brink of bankruptcy last summer, a precipice that could have seen them plummet to the fourth tier of Italian football. The club was just days away from vanishing from the professional football scene altogether. So, where did it all begin?
To unravel the story, we need to turn back the clock for a brief history lesson. The ‘golden team’ known as Sampd’Oro, which clinched four Coppa Italias and one Italian Supercup during the ’80s and ’90s, was once owned by the Mantovanis, a wealthy family involved in the oil industry, until the year 2000.
In 2002, the club changed hands when Genoese oil magnate Riccardo Garrone, a member of one of Italy’s most affluent families, took over. Following his demise in January 2013, ownership was transferred to his son Edoardo.
Sampdoria’s descent into trouble began on June 12, 2014, as Edoardo, for the token fee of one euro, handed over the club to Massimo Ferrero, a film producer. Strangely, Edoardo also provided Ferrero with 65 million euros to ensure the club’s continuity. It left many questioning why one of Italy’s wealthiest families would give away the club while also footing the bill for its future.
At that time, Ferrero seemed to be merely a puppet in Garrone’s grand scheme, a temporary steward of the club. Lacking personal wealth, Ferrero’s business plan relied solely on profits generated from player transfers.
The model held until 2019, when a consortium of international investors, led by Gianluca Vialli, failed to acquire the club despite offering approximately 85-90 million euros for a takeover.
Freefall into the Abyss
The final nail in the coffin was the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought the transfer market to a standstill, erasing any chances of profit. The rest is history, with Massimo Ferrero’s arrest on December 6, 2021, for fraudulent bankruptcy unrelated to football activities. He maintained de facto ownership of the club by transferring his shares to a family trust while being released from prison but barred from any involvement in football.
Over the following 18 months, threats and protests against Ferrero mounted. Fans took to the streets for sit-in protests, matches faced delays due to ultras hurling flares onto the pitch, envelopes containing bullet cases were sent to Ferrero and Garrone, and a gruesome severed pig’s head was delivered to Sampdoria’s headquarters.
“Garrone put him there, and he had to get rid of him,” declared lifelong fan Silvio Regis, a season-ticket holder since 1985. “We accepted relegation last summer, but we would never have accepted bankruptcy; Ferrero and Garrone would have been equally responsible for it.”
A Last-Minute Rescue Operation
In late May, with Sampdoria teetering on the precipice of disappearing from professional football, salvation arrived in the form of Andrea Radrizzani, the former owner of Leeds United, and Matteo Manfredi, founder and CEO of the Gestio Capital asset management fund. They persuaded Ferrero to relinquish control of the club and invested the necessary funds to settle outstanding debts while simultaneously opening the door to new investors.
Radrizzani and Manfredi appointed the legendary Andrea Pirlo as manager, envisioning a renaissance for the club. However, reality proved to be a formidable opponent.
Relegated to the lower division, Sampdoria needed to rebuild their squad, hire new staff, and contend with a two-point penalty for financial rule violations that occurred under Ferrero’s tenure. Their squad comprises more than half of players born this century, alongside seasoned campaigners like Fabio Borini, a Pirlo favorite who previously played under the maestro in Turkey.
“To me, playing for him and for Sampdoria mattered more than the league I would be playing in,” remarked Borini, who had stints at Chelsea, Swansea City, Liverpool, and Sunderland.
Despite a rocky start, marked by four consecutive home defeats, their form has improved since October, thanks in part to Borini’s goals, which secured crucial home wins against Cosenza and Palermo, inching them away from the relegation zone.
“Structures are in place, and the group is growing. We are gelling more and more every day, and we believe in ourselves,” Borini added optimistically. “It’s true we didn’t kick off too well, but the season is still long, and we have plenty of time to fight for promotion.”
Yet, Sampdoria needs more than hope to secure a swift return to the top flight. The fans’ unwavering support remains, but it will take determination, effort, and perhaps a touch of magic to achieve their ambitious goal of reclaiming past glories.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Football Resurgence
Q: What led to Sampdoria’s financial troubles and relegation?
A: Sampdoria’s financial woes stemmed from a decade of mismanagement, exacerbated by a business model heavily reliant on player transfers. Their relegation was the result of a combination of factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the transfer market, a lack of profits, and a two-point penalty for financial rule breaches during the previous ownership.
Q: Who are the new owners of Sampdoria, and what is their mission?
A: Andrea Radrizzani, formerly associated with Leeds United, and Matteo Manfredi are the new owners of Sampdoria. Their mission is to “bring Sampdoria back to the glory and joy of the ’90s,” revitalizing the club’s fortunes and restoring its former prestige.
Q: How did Andrea Pirlo become involved with Sampdoria?
A: Andrea Pirlo was appointed as the manager of Sampdoria under the new ownership. He was chosen to lead the club in its quest for revival and success in the footballing world.
Q: What challenges does Sampdoria face in their quest for a comeback?
A: Sampdoria faces the challenge of rebuilding their squad, hiring new staff, and overcoming a two-point penalty for financial rule violations. Additionally, they must navigate the competitive lower division of Italian football to secure promotion.
Q: How has the fan support been during Sampdoria’s difficult times?
A: The fans have remained steadfast in their support for Sampdoria, even during the club’s struggles. They have held protests, attended matches, and shown unwavering affection for the players and manager, reflecting their enduring commitment to the club.
More about Football Resurgence
- Sampdoria’s official website
- Andrea Pirlo’s profile
- Italian Serie A
- Gianluca Vialli’s career
- Roberto Mancini’s career
- Andrea Radrizzani’s profile
- Matteo Manfredi’s profile
- Massimo Ferrero’s legal troubles
