All roads lead to...Ballardini

TUTTOmercatoWEB.com

While Lotito and Rossi still have to meet up one of these days, all clues should lead to former Palermo’s coach Davide Ballardini. The Sicilian president, Maurizio Zamparini, literally stole Walter Zenga to Lazio and now Ballardini remains unemployed. Lazio’s bench is the only one left empty for the moment, since every other club in Serie A have decided their new coaches. Even newly promoted Bari and Parma have confirmed Conte and Guidolin. The only exception is the team that will be promoted at the end of the Serie B playoffs between Grosseto, Livorno, Empoli and Brescia with Livorno and Brescia liable to change due to their presidents’ unsteadiness.
This said, Davide Ballardini seems to be the right man. He told the press that Zamparini had put him under too much stress. Not that Rome’s pressure is better than Palermo’s one to handle, but Lotito would probably let the Ravenna born coach work more quietly. Zamparini had the habit of bringing him constantly into question. Ballardini met Lotito twice at Hilton Airport Hotel during this week and the sensations were probably good. The only thing on which they still have to find an agreement is the fee. In fact, Ballardini wants to bring with him all his staff and Lotito would have to pay them a proportionate salary to the one the coach would get. So this is the only question mark hanging over the whole situation. And this is why Lotito is taking his time.
After Allegri was confirmed at Cagliari’s helm, the only other candidate remains Walter Mazzarri who made great things at Sampdoria. He brought them back to Europe and the blucerchiati advanced for the first time to a knock-out phase of a European competition since 1995. Besides they reached the Italian Cup final for the first time in 15 years and almost won it if it wasn’t for Lazio’s determination. Mazzarri would probably bring with him his technical partner Nicolò Frustalupi, son of Mario, one of the 1974 Lazio legends.