"Bari, a blessing and a curse." De Trizio: De Laurentiis should reconnect with a city that wants to win.

BARI - At a crucial time for Bari's future, amid corporate uncertainty and expectations of a resurgence, the voice of someone who wore the red and white jersey with pride and sacrifice can offer valuable insight. Giorgio De Trizio, a former defender and icon of the 1980s, returns to talk about his beloved team, addressing the hottest topics of the red and white summer. From the still-emerging transfer market to the squad construction entrusted to Fabio Caserta, including the club's ambitions for the upcoming Serie B season.

In the background, however, unresolved issues remain. The timeshare issue, set to expire in 2028, the growing discontent among fans who threaten to desert the San Nicola, and the withdrawal of longtime sponsors like MvLine and Casillo, partially offset by the arrival of the new main sponsor, the betting site Betsson. A wide-ranging discussion with those who know Bari well, both on and off the pitch.

Mr. De Trizio, let's start with current events. What impression did the decision to appoint Fabio Caserta as Bari coach make on you?

All the decisions leave me indifferent. The coaches are all good, but when they arrive in Bari, they lose their edge because someone might kill them. In recent years, there have been coaches with character, like Iachini, who completely faded once they were in the red and whites. The same goes for Longo. He started well, then faded as the months went by. A coach always has responsibilities. The choice of manager proves to be a good one when it's accompanied by objectives to achieve and the right people behind the scenes. That is, a president and a sporting director with the right attributes. Otherwise, as long as things are going well, the enthusiasm remains, only to fade over time. Essentially, that's what happened last year. Longo had a decent team, but it was unlikely they would have made it all the way to the finals, even if they had played in the playoffs. And the coach understood this. Coach and players must feel part of the project. Anyone who comes on loan is reluctant.

The transfer market has just begun, but fans are expecting strong signals. What kind of team do you expect to be built?

The team will more or less be complete. But, at this point, I don't see any great ambitions. We'll build a squad that can easily survive and, at best, aim for the playoffs. Rejuvenation is fine, but we need second-rate players with at least a couple of Serie B tournaments under their belt. We can't improvise. Nor can we take any risks.

After a disappointing season, what do you think are Bari's real ambitions for the upcoming Serie B championship?

"If Bari were to immediately promote to Serie A, the De Laurentiis family would be happy, as they could recoup profit margins. However, I don't think they'd want to make any financial effort to achieve this objective directly."

In your opinion, how much does the multi-ownership issue impact the club's future, considering the 2028 deadline?

"The timeshare arrangement weighs on the city and its fans because the team embodies the image of the city. But it also weighs on the owners because if things go badly, say, relegation to Serie C, it would be painful. Filmauro has a hot potato on its hands and doesn't know how to get out of it. They need to find a buyer quickly."

The fans seem increasingly distant from the club and threaten to desert San Nicola. How serious is this sign?

"Nowadays, going to the stadium is a matter of habit. The distance between the crowds is a strong signal. Between revenue and sponsorships, for better or worse, the club's management can hold up. A heritage that risks being lost."

Having experienced the warmth of the Bari crowd, what message do you feel like sending to the fans at this time?

The current situation is delicate. It should have been foreseen in 2018. Given this, entrusting the club to Filmauro is proving to be a flop. The result is people's disaffection for the jersey. All we need is a little patience, hoping to find ourselves, perhaps with luck, in the higher division.

The loss of longtime sponsors like MvLine and Casillo is another alarm bell. How do you interpret these about-faces?

"The sponsors have been waiting to see how the project evolves. We're talking about successful companies. Linking your brand to a team without ambition is counterproductive. Those in charge of communications are very attentive to these details. The objective fact is that important local players are stepping aside."

Can Betsson's arrival be seen as a sign of recovery or is it just a patch on a larger hole?

"A sponsor who relies on betting isn't ideal for a club still reeling from a history of irregularities. Unfortunately, there are no longer any ethical figures in the world of football these days."

What do you think it would take to rebuild a strong and recognizable identity for Bari, both on and off the pitch?

Only an act of love can change the current state of affairs. Luigi De Laurentiis should have a more direct relationship with the people and the city. Go for a beer in the historic center, listen to the thoughts and feelings of the fans. He should also expose his difficulties. He needs clarity on his objectives. People are just waiting to see if the owners care about Bari or if they're just managing it for other business-related reasons. The chemistry is missing.

As a former footballer and sportsman, what role could a figure like him have today in the dialogue between society and the city?

"If it were necessary, these figures could be involved. In reality, Bari needs people who love Bari. You might not win, but devotion to the colors always pays off."