Michele Anaclerio without brakes: «Bari, this is not the way to go»

BARI - Raised in Bari, his hometown team, Michele Anaclerio achieved his dream of debuting with his hometown jersey at the age of 19 in Serie A in the 2000/01 season (1-0 at home to Reggina) thanks to coach Eugenio Fascetti. After two years on loan at Lanciano, in Serie C, he returned home but in Serie B and stayed there for three seasons playing a total of 72 league games. An enviable score for the current coach of Polimnia who, ready to obtain his UEFA A membership card (he will be in Coverciano the day after tomorrow after a well-deserved vacation in London), retraces the stages, expectations and dreams of the club of which he remains a passionate fan.

Anaclerio, do you still follow Bari's football events?

"I am very happy to coach Polimnia. An important step in my professional growth. I live in the city of Bari and I do it as a lover of the red and white colors. I always follow Bari, even though we have less libero. We could have reached the playoffs, but we didn't have the credentials to go up."

What memories do you have of Bari and of Bari?

"My debut in Serie A with my team's jersey was thrilling. A dream I had as a child. I also scored in the 3-1 against Albinoleffe. I was lucky and good at making this dream come true."

Today, there are some complicated knots to untie: timeshare is the thorniest one.

"It's easy, now, to criticize the De Laurentiis. However, when they arrived, no one else did. Especially when they were a hundred seconds away from Serie A. Now, however, the time has come for a turning point. We hope that the club will be sold. Not every season goes well. But this is the right time to sell the club. After more than a hundred years of history of the association, we hope that a president can arrive who will make the leap in quality that the club is so lacking."

You were in Bari at a different time in history. Why does it seem that in Bari, when it comes to ambition, we always work with the handbrake on and that there is no way out?

"We have never had billionaire presidents. The economic aspect is very important. Like skills. Look at what is happening at Atalanta. I will always be grateful to the Matarrese family. Then, a cycle ended. As a Bari native, I hope that foreign ownership arrives. I don't see any Italian ones capable of making us make the leap in quality. In the wake, for example, of what was done in Como. Football today is a different world compared to my time. The presidents were in love. Today, more attention is paid to interests. For this reason, I hope that at a political level we can help Bari. This is an important step so that foreign investors can be tempted by all the induced activities that revolve around football and the stadium, beyond the sporting aspects. Politics will be fundamental."

The fans are a bit sad because they don't see great prospects for growth. What would you advise the people of Bari?

"I see people who, after forty years of season tickets, will not renew it this year. Every protest, as long as it is civil, is accepted. In this case, I do not know what to advise the Bari fans. Everyone must feel free to protest as they wish. If the vast majority decide to desert the San Nicola, no one will be able to set themselves up as judges. Seeing the stadium empty will not discourage potential buyers because, looking at the attendance figures of recent years, it is clear how much the people of Bari care about the team. The average number of spectators never falls below fifteen thousand. A lot, at a European level. If it is empty, it will be clear that there is a reason."

Do you know Fabio Caserta? Have you had the chance to meet him in your career?

"He's not a newcomer. He's achieved results where he's coached. I met him as a footballer. A great player, he commanded respect on the pitch."

What contribution do you think he can make to the Bari cause?

"In the end, it's the players who go out on the field and it's them who make you win matches. You can have the best coaches and managers, but without the resources on the pitch you won't go far. Caserta is a classy coach. He will certainly give his contribution."

Magalini knows what to do. But in his place, what would be the first move he would make if he were Bari's DS today?

"I have a lot of faith in Magalini and Valerio Di Cesare. I know the latter well and I've played against him many times. It's not a given that you'll get hurt with a reduced budget. You just need to choose the right players, as happened in the recent past with Caprile and Cheddira. I'm sure they'll do a great job."