CAGLIARI

[D-Kin]

Sonetti set for chop Monday 24 December, 2007

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Cagliari boss Nedo Sonetti is on the verge of getting the sack for Christmas, reports in Italy are suggesting.

Unconfirmed rumours at this stage claim that the veteran tactician will be replaced at chaotic Cagliari after yesterday’s 5-1 defeat to Fiorentina.

That setback was the club’s sixth loss in seven games under Sonetti after he stepped in for the previously dismissed Marco Giampaolo.

It’s been an eventful week for the Sardinian outfit after Sonetti actually handed in his resignation on Wednesday.

The club firstly accepted it by recalling the still contracted Giampaolo to the Sant’Elia, only for the former Ascoli Coach to snub a recall.

That forced the Rossoblu to then reject Sonetti’s quit request and he was back at the helm on Thursday.

However, it seems that Sonetti will be the latest man to be shown the door by fiery owner Massimo Cellino after delivering just one point from a possible 21.

“I don’t know anything about the stories,” said Sonetti today. “After the game yesterday I simply headed home for Christmas. I’ve heard nothing from Cellino.”

Cagliari have yet to officially announce anything regarding a coaching change but that is expected to happen in the next 48 hours.

Early contenders to replace Sonetti at the relegation threatened outfit are former Messina boss Bruno Giordano and ex-Juventus midfielder Antonio Conte.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Aladino]

Calcio: Cagliari, Ballardini sostituisce Sonetti
Indice Ultim'ora

CAGLIARI - Il presidente del Cagliari, Massimo Cellino, ha scelto Davide Ballardini per sostituire l'esonerato Nedo Sonetti sulla panchina del Cagliari, ultimo in classifica. A confermarlo proprio il patron rossoblu in un'intervista al quotidiano "L'Unione sarda". "L'ho sempre apprezzato: e' un intenditore di calcio", ha dichiarato Cellino, che due anni fa aveva esonerato lo stesso Ballardini, cui era succeduto Sonetti. "E' stata una delle poche volte che mi e' dispiaciuto mandare via un allenatore - ha poi continuato -. Ballardini non era responsabile di quella situazione, ma e' stato stritolato dagli ingranaggi di una squadra impazzita, che voleva solo Sonetti. La professionalita' di Ballardini non e' mai stata in discussione". (Agr)

Davide Ballardini has replaced Nedo Sonetti

[D-Kin]

Ballardini for Cagliari - official Saturday 29 December, 2007

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After a period of uncertainty, Cagliari have officially unveiled Davide Ballardini as their new Coach.

Marco Giampaolo started the season at the helm at the Stadio Sant’Elia but was replaced by Nedo Sonetti in November.

However, the experienced boss was unable to arrest the Rossoblu’s freefall and opted to reign as rumours circulated that he would be axed.

Giampaolo is still under contract, but he refused to return to the club and finally Ballardini has taken the hot seat.

“Cagliari are pleased to reveal that Ballardini is the new Coach. We would like to thank Sonetti for his work and his consummate professionalism,” a statement on the club’s website reads.

Ballardini is just 44-years-old and has limited experience having been in charge of Serie C Sambenedettese and Parma’s Primavera youth side.

He also took the reigns at Cagliari back in 2005 in a similar situation before ironically making way for Sonetti.

Ballardini’s debut for the rock bottom Sardinians is a tough test against high-flying Udinese on January 13.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Ballardini 'can save Cagliari' Monday 31 December, 2007

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Cagliari have had a disastrous season packed with controversy and in-fighting, but new Coach Davide Ballardini is “convinced we can do well.”

The tactician is the third man on the Stadio Sant’Elia bench this season after Marco Giampaolo and Nedo Sonetti were fired.

Sonetti had resigned in the week before Christmas, but when Giampaolo refused to return, accepted another game with the club. That 5-1 defeat at Fiorentina also proved to be his last.

“I know these players because I already trained them at Cagliari and other clubs,” explained Ballardini in his presentation Press Conference.

“If I have come back then it is because I am convinced we can do well.”

This is Ballardini’s second stint with the Sardinians, as he was sacked after four draws and five defeats from September to November 2005.

“The team is built on solid and organised foundations. All we have been missing are the results.”

Cagliari are propping up the table with just 10 points from 17 Serie A games and are already five points adrift of the safety zone.

Ballardini’s arrival is the latest sea-change for a club that has also been wracked by in-fighting and controversy, with Pasquale Foggia accused of organising an attack on teammate Davide Marchini in a bar.

“I have some tactical ideas, but I want everyone to give their best. The three strikers are young and talented.

“Foggia is a great player, he needs to grow in every aspect of his game. He has excellent quality and I would like for him to show that in a Cagliari jersey.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Cagliari reveal double swoop Wednesday 9 January, 2008

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Cagliari have officially announced the arrival of goalkeeper Marco Storari and striker Jeda.

Storari arrives on loan from Milan after a frustrating spell at La Liga side Levante that saw him play the role of benchwarmer.

The 31-year-old signed for the Rossoneri from Messina in July 2007, but he has been unable to climb the hierarchy at San Siro.

Jeda has come from Rimini to play alongside former teammate Alessandro Matri, who left the Serie B side in the summer.

The experienced hitman has a superb scoring record in the Cadetti and now has the chance to prove himself on the big stage with the struggling Sardinians.

Cagliari are also linked with Napoli outcast Inacio Pià and Treviso’s Uruguayan midfielder Nicolas Amodio as they look to move away from the bottom of the table.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[jec1]

Vitor gomes is class. He was known as the trio d' ataque when he played for the rio ave youth system... along with coentrao/serrao. He can play Central defense & defensive midfield.



(^He's on the left)

Buona fortuna!

[D-Kin]

Cagliari sack Salerno Monday 18 February, 2008

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Cagliari have sacked sporting director Nicola Salerno as the Sardinians continue to prop up the Serie A table.

The Rossoblu are in dire straits after last weekend’s 2-1 defeat against Palermo left them three points adrift at the bottom and seven points from survival.

Trigger-happy President Massimo Cellino has already axed two Coaches this term in Marco Giampaolo and Nedo Sonetti and has now given Salerno his marching orders.

“Cagliari would like to communicate that sporting director Salerno has been relieved of his duties,” a statement on the club’s website reads.

“The club would like to thank him for all his work and wish him all the best in his professional future.”

Salerno joined Cagliari at the start of last season after working for Serie C outfit Foggia.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Cagliari chief prepares exit Tuesday 19 February, 2008

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Cagliari President Massimo Cellino has restated his intention to sell the club in the summer and inveighed against the state of modern football.

The fiery chief has come in for stinging criticism this term as his Isolani prop up the Serie A table in spite of his trigger-happy attitude.

Cellino has already sacked Coaches Marco Giampaolo and Nedo Sonetti this term and added sporting director Nicola Salerno to the list of casualties yesterday.

Now it seems that the next backroom figure to leave the Stadio Sant’Elia will be the 51-year-old himself.

“I tried to sell Cagliari three years ago, but having failed to do so I carried on,” he explained. “But now I am saying that enough is enough.

“I have become tired and disillusioned with this world. I have looked after the club, but with every change I have made I have just received criticism and a lack of respect.

“I want to keep the team afloat for my family and several of the players, but at the end of the year I will leave football.

“I don’t feel at home in the game – there is injustice, ignorance and unscrupulous people. I tried to change things, but I didn’t succeed so it’s time to give up.”

Cagliari need a miraculous turnaround if they are to overcome the chasm opening between themselves and Serie A survival and it looks increasingly likely that Cellino will sell the club as a Cadetti outfit.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Cagliari gamble on Marroccu Thursday 21 February, 2008

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Cagliari have appointed Francesco Marroccu to succeed Nicola Salerno as sporting director.

Trigger-happy President Massimo Cellino dismissed Salerno as the Sardinians continue to prop up the Serie A table.

Marroccu, who is the current general sporting secretary, becomes the 10th sporting director of the Cellino era.

At 42-years-old, Marroccu is one of Serie A’s youngest and least experienced men in this role and it may be short-lived as Cellino has announced his intention to sell the club in the summer.

Cagliari have it all to do to beat the drop after picking up just 15 points in their first 23 games.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Reggina axe Ulivieri Monday 3 March, 2008

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Reggina have sacked Coach Renzo Ulivieri and replaced him with former youth boss Nevio Orlandi.

Veteran tactician Ulivieri replaced the hapless Massimo Ficcadenti last November and has failed to lift the Calabrians out of the danger zone, despite a positive start.

Just 10 days after securing a monumental win over Juventus, Reggina President Lillo Foti has called time on Ulivieri’s reign.

“Reggina want to thank Ulivieri for his technical and human contribution, but he has been relieved of his duties,” a statement on the club’s website reads.

Yesterday's 0-0 draw with Palermo proved to be the final straw and cemented Ulivieri's position as the eighth Coach to be fired this term.

While the news comes as a shock to the Press, Ulivieri claims that he saw this decision coming.

“I honestly expected it,” he lamented on Radio Kiss Kiss. “The atmosphere and the relationships here weren’t calm.

“This decision was the logical progression – I wasn’t born yesterday. It’s obvious when things aren’t going as they should be.

“However, with me in charge we were getting a point per game and we were awaiting the big games against direct rivals. Our plight wasn’t as desperate as people would have you believe.”

Orlandi takes the post with the Amaranto just a point from bottom and three from safety.

The new man’s first task could hardly be tougher as Reggina travel to San Siro to face an Inter side determined to erase memories of their first defeat of the season against Napoli yesterday.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[jec1]

Cagliari put up a good fight against Milan but madecritical some errors in the end of the game.