Cellino Quitting-15 weeks still to go

I guess my boy Cellino was upset that Palermos inner crisis was causing him to lose the attention he is so used to receiving because of his outlandish statements and having to face the yearly threat of relegation. So what does he do at a time when his players need his support? He fires team sporting director Salerno and announces he will sell the club at the end of the year. This man continues to outdo himself with the timing of his actions and words. I guess the attention is back on him, especially after the crybaby leader of Palermo got his wish with a win and three points this weekend vaulting them back into position for a UEFA Cup spot.

I dont know what Salerno did to deserve to be fired, but I think Cellino is so frustrated with many things that he now must fire his management since the coach and some players have already been forced to leave. I understand his frustration, but this is another time he should keep his mouth shut, especially if he wants to sell the club. Im just guessing, but I would think the team would be worth more if he sold it as a Serie A product instead of Serie B. I guess he has been trying to sell for three years with no buyers. He probably wants too much money just like he is unwilling to pay money for players to help keep them in Serie A. Sounds like a poorly run business that is ultimately going to force him to stay on as owner or sell for less once the team gets relegated. He obviously made money in some other business, but his money making and management style in football seems terrible. To me he is a quitter, plain and simple. What makes it worse, is even if you have given up, you should put on a good face for your players until the last possible minute. Maybe its a cultural thing and accepted behavior and just looked at as meaningless rant by those closer to the situation, but as an American, I dont see how this helps.

The timing of this behavior also cant help his teams spirit as they continue to fight to avoid relegation. The loss to Palermo has to be frustrating as they were able to play a team in their own mini crisis without two of their best players and whose form had been poor in recent weeks. To come away with no points is tough. You simply cannot give up two first half goals on the road and expect to come back. However, the team did not quit and even after getting one back in the form of an own goal, they just couldnt push through an equalizer despite some good efforts. I was glad to see Larrivey on the bench, Foggia play the whole game, and Acquafresca, who needs to be more then a second half substitute, almost tie the game with a great header that was saved well by the Palermo keeper. Points could have been had in this match and I hope the players continue to fight.

As of right now, they are seven points from safety with 15 weeks to play. It will be tough to avoid relegation, but with the right lineup and continued good effort, I am not yet ready to throw in the towel like Cellino clearly has. This weeks game against Lazio at home really is a must win as will pretty much all the games against any team in the bottom half of the table. Lazio is not playing well and its these mid table teams that you have to beat at home. No excuses. I will be curious to see if the players can keep Cellino and his antics out of their mind and play for themselves and the fans until they are mathmatically relegated. They are used to the instability for sure so I am sure they can do it.

I know I am one of many frustrated fans from around the world of this team. Our Presidents craziness can be tolerated if the has the passion and desire to see his club to well and will invest accordingly. To know that he cannot stomach the lying and backstabbing that is the world of professional football and has been trying to sell all while not bringing in players to improve the team has to be disheartening. If that is the case, he should have gotten out sooner even at a discounted price.

Lastly, a big shout out to all the fans of Cagliari in Norway. I received an email from a passionate Norewegian fan who clearly wants the team to do as well as I do. I would say email Salerno and let him know what you think as he has responded to me with great concern about the team after Giampaolo was fired, but since he is gone, I dont know who we can voice our concerns to at the team who really gives a crap at the moment.

Have a good week and I look forward to a win against Lazio this weekend.

Category: Cagliari, Serie A