Following a warm reception from fans, the new coach was officially introduced. He conveyed his commitment by stating, “Has the management asked me for Serie A? I won`t utter that word, but we will give our absolute best. I`ve always felt very comfortable in the South.”
After being greeted by two thousand enthusiastic fans at the stadium yesterday, Filippo `Pippo` Inzaghi was officially presented today as the new head coach of Palermo, a club steadfast in its ambition for a lasting return to Serie A. Introduced by sporting director Carlo Osti, who shares a long-standing professional relationship with him, Inzaghi began by reflecting on his previous club: “I want to express my gratitude to everyone here at Palermo, and also to Pisa, where I left a piece of my heart and encountered fantastic supporters. I get emotional when I talk about them; my players gave me so much. However, I eventually understood that things were not progressing as they should, leading to the decision made by both the club and myself. I didn`t choose between Pisa and Palermo; I chose Palermo *after* my tenure with Pisa concluded, which is an important clarification. I could have remained unattached, but I was specifically waiting for Palermo`s call. Having known Gardini and Osti for a lifetime, no further convincing was necessary. The call from Palermo reignited my passion. The incredible fan reception yesterday kept me awake last night; it felt undeserved, as I haven`t achieved anything yet, but it provides me with an immense surge of motivation.”
Objectives for the Season
“It is absolutely right that this community returns to its rightful place, where it truly belongs, and I carry a significant responsibility to achieve that. I can guarantee that we will give our absolute all. Has the club explicitly asked me for Serie A promotion? No, I prefer not to use that particular word; we have a collective dream. We possess a club that is already well-prepared, and a fanbase that is ready and eager. For me, this season will be more challenging than last year, as I started with less attention back then. Now, I have a crowd that feels like it belongs in the Champions League, and therefore, I fear nothing. My players know that those who do not put in the necessary effort on the field will be left out; I show no favoritism. In my view, Palermo is already a very strong team; they were considered favorites from an external perspective last year. I don`t believe much needs to be fundamentally changed, but rather we need to instill profound confidence in these players. We have already started planning what will be most beneficial.”
Comfort and Connection in the South
“We are incredibly fortunate to play in front of 40,000 passionate people and to be part of such a well-structured club. Who has been in touch with me? I spoke with Gattuso when he became the national team coach. I`m delighted because we shared many victories together, and we exchanged mutual congratulations. I sincerely hope Italy qualifies for the World Cup, and I believe he possesses all the necessary capabilities to achieve that. I am always in contact with Max Taibi; I know his thoughts well, and he was among the first to call me. Carrozzieri, Miccoli, and Biffi also reached out. As an opponent, I frequently played in Palermo and scored a few too many goals against them, which I now need to redeem myself for! I also experienced defeats here; I recall a 2-0 Palermo victory at San Siro. As a player, I always played in the North, even though I had opportunities to come here towards the end of my career. However, as a coach, I`ve had the pleasure of discovering the South, and it has been a fantastic experience. I`ve felt extremely comfortable in Benevento, Salerno, and Reggio Calabria. My family and I truly enjoy being by the sea, and we are very happy in these Southern locations.”
