[Daniel24]

Stefano searches for new blood

Palermo boss Stefano Colantuono is building a new-look side for next term and hopes to lure some more recruits.

After last term’s disappointment of a bottom-half finish, Palermo have made sweeping changes.

The Sicilians have sold Amauri, Andrea Barzagli and Cristian Zaccardo, while bringing in Davide Lanzafame, Antonio Nocerino, Fabio Liverani and Andrea Raggi.

“There won’t be a revolution this summer,” Colantuono explained on Radio Radio TV. “We have made some changes and it was in some ways the end of a cycle.

“Lots of players had done so much for Palermo and it was only right for them to leave in search of fresh challenges.

“Amauri won’t be easily substituted and I have already appealed to the fans not to compare the new strikers that arrive to him.

“We need new players with motivation and that determination can mean that less talented replacements get better results.

“Sergio Floccari will be an important player for our project and our priority is to complete the negotiations.”

Colantuono, who was sacked and reinstated last season, is confident that he has the trust of President Maurizio Zamparini now.

“I have an excellent relationship with Zamparini,” he insisted.

“He is sometimes really outspoken, but the other clubs’ chiefs say the same things only in private.

“I didn’t expect to be sacked last year when we were in sixth and I have told the President that.”

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