[Marcelo]

Spinelli crowns Camolese Sunday 10 February, 2008



Livorno President Aldo Spinelli is well known for insulting his tacticians, but he broke with tradition to praise Giancarlo Camolese.

“Camolese has done very well to take the team back up the table,” said the patron, who brought him in after firing Nando Orsi.

“In my view, the threshold for achieving safety this season will be between 38 and 40 points and there are at least 10 teams involved. This is why we must make the most of home advantage.”

The player who has most benefited from Camolese’s arrival is Francesco Tavano, who has bloomed under the Coach’s tutelage.

“Tavano is doing very well after his unlucky experiences at Valencia and Roma. He deserves an international call for his extraordinary consistency.

“In terms of character he feels the need to know he is supported and surrounded by enthusiasm, which is what he is getting at Livorno.”

Spinelli also revealed that there were negotiations to sell the striker to Napoli during the January transfer window.

“They asked me for Tavano, but if they don’t offer at least £7m then I won’t sell him to anyone. I don’t know if Napoli can match that price-tag.”

Businessman Spinelli has been in football a long time and was in charge of Genoa – Livorno’s opponents this afternoon - for 13 years from 1985.

“It will be a very special match for me,” he told Radio Kiss Kiss. “I cannot allow myself to get swept up in sentiment, as we must win. There’s still a long battle ahead of us to stay up, as we are by no means out of the danger zone.”

channel4.com - Football Italia