GENOVA, ITALY: The “twins of goal” Roberto Mancini (R) and Gianluca Vialli – who are now both coaches, the first of Italy’ s Fiorentina team, the second of English First division League team Watford – smile as they pose for photographer late Monday, 07 May 2001 during the feast for the “goodbye” of Mancini to the played soccer
Sampdoria legends are flocking back to save the club, with Roberto Mancini as director, Alberico Evani as coach and Attilio Lombardo as assistant manager, fulfilling Gianluca Vialli’s dream.
The Blucerchiati were at the top of Italian and European football, winning the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1990, unexpected Scudetto title in 1990-91 and reaching the European Cup Final under coach Vujadin Boskov a year later.
The heroes of that squad were Mancini and Vialli as the Goal Twins, with Lombardo in midfield, while Evani was in the team from 1993 to 1997.
Samp have suffered serious financial problems in recent years, were relegated last summer and are now plummeting towards another drop to Serie C.
Sampdoria legends flock back to fulfil Vialli vision
In a desperate bid to save the club from ruin, its legends are reportedly returning, with Sky Sport Italia now claiming that Mancini will be the new technical director.
However, after talks with Beppe Iachini fell apart, they instead turned towards former midfielder Evani as coach and Lombardo his assistant.
Evani has been a head coach of San Marino, then of the Italy Under-19, Under-20 and Under-21 teams, otherwise he was an assistant manager to Gian Piero Ventura and Mancini for various levels of the Italy squad.
The return of Mancini and Lombardo was the dream held by Vialli when he had tried to lead a conglomerate to buy out Sampdoria, a move he was forced to abandon due to ill health.
Now two years after his death at the age of 58, it looks as if Vialli’s wishes will finally be realised with the gang’s comeback at Marassi.
This is still not confirmed, and Mancini released a message on his Instagram Stories.
“Before writing things that are totally invented, I would ask you to, and I realise this is asking a lot, think first. Thank you.”
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