Lunchtime solved two problems. Entrusted with the bench for next year and obtained the release from seizure of the last million euros which was still frozen in the context of the tax investigation which has been dragging on for two years. “I’m no longer rich, but if he was freed it means that that million was not to be seized”.
So Massimo Cellino breaks the silence in which he was closed after the relegation apart from the outburst a couple of weeks ago outside the court. “It is inappropriate to talk about the future because we still don’t know if we will play in Serie B or C” he says, but a piece has gone in his place.
The coach
«I saw Gastaldello, I met him, he is energetic and fit. I’m starting from him» announces the Sardinian entrepreneur. «I know what he gave me and I also know what I suffered. He is under contract and I feel safe with him. I no longer want to jump in the dark. It wouldn’t make sense to hire another coach and then maybe change him in 15 days and take Gastaldello back. He has been with me since I bought Brescia, first as captain and then as a coach, and I would also recommend him to a future buyer. Was it better to change leadership after the relegation? He was saved on the field. Because if we hadn’t drawn with Palermo it was all useless. Even the battle for justice we are waging against Reggina» says Massimo Cellino. Which goes back to the last championship.
EMBED [Daniele Gastaldello]
The past
«I’m embittered, my heart is bleeding for a relegation for which I take responsibility even if it’s not just me. Were the changes on the bench necessary? I answer by asking if there was a need to seize Brescia from me. However if I could go back I wouldn’t do many of the things I did. To apologize? I have not done anything in bad faith» the words of Cellino.
“We have had many injuries and many players have performed less than their possibilities” is the thought of the president of the swallows, who remains in the saddle of the club purchased six summers ago.
The society
«There are certainly better presidents than me, but I won’t run away. If a person arrives who has more money than me, more desire for me, I’ll leave Brescia. But I don’t even talk to people who are hiding with imaginary funds. I’m not selfish and I’m not staying in spite of the saints, but I’m not leaving Brescia damaging the city and leaving the team to people who don’t give guarantees”.
Massimo Cellino, even before choosing to confirm Daniele Gastaldello on the bench, despite having thought – on the advice of people close to him – of other coaches in recent weeks, had bet on Renzo Castagnini as sporting director.
EMBED [Renzo Castagnini]
A horse returning to the shadow of the Cidneo. “The less I show up, the better. The new diesse will be present because he is a valid person. If I brought him back it is because I met him in the previous experience and he is a capable man”. But a man does not change, especially at the age of Massimo Cellino. And therefore: «Castagnini certainly has freedom, but always limited to the protection of the company. I won’t let him get or sell the players he wants. As long as I’m in Brescia, the last word will be mine. As do all company directors and all presidents”.
The future
The first objective is naturally to obtain readmission to Serie B. “Until that happens, I don’t want to comment, but I can’t deny that we are looking to the transfer market to strengthen the team” admits the president.
«I don’t want to make any promises. It would be bauscia to say that I want to make a Serie A team. Tonali’s money hasn’t arrived yet (it will also go to the budget in 2024, it should be just under 5 million but a precise count is not yet possible because it will be necessary to know the definitive figures of the Milan-Newcastle operation, ed) and luckily I had kept a percentage on the resale. We want to do serious and honest work and build a team to save ourselves. We are still in the stage of the disease and first we have to heal and then eventually run. We need everyone to start again» explains Cellino.
«In my career I’ve made teams that according to the experts were 6– and with which I then went to Serie A or saved myself and others that were considered to be 8 who instead failed to achieve their goals. Last year for the affair of the investigation in Brescia he didn’t want to come to anyone. In June and even worse in January. I hope this year is different. Bisoli and Cistana? They are due, but it is not a problem since we are talking about 2024.Many players have to – concludes Cellino – demonstrate that they deserve the salary they have and that they have always received on time”.
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