Perinetti: «Bari a disappointment, the playoffs were within reach: now we need to gear up and start again»

BARI - Bari, Palermo and Brescia are involved in the strange tangle of Giorgio Perinetti's managerial career. For different reasons, these three Serie B clubs are going through very complicated moments in their history. The red and whites are struggling with a disastrous season that culminated in their failure to qualify for the playoffs. Palermo has just been eliminated from the promotion play-offs. While the "Swallows" - after being accused of irregularities in the payment of contributions and salaries relating to the February deadline - are at risk of a four-point penalty and a relegation to Serie C.

Perinetti, Bari and Palermo are the two big disappointments of the B championship. Judging by the budgets spent, perhaps things went worse for the Sicilians.

«At a certain point, after the January transfer market, I thought that Bari had what it takes to aim for the playoffs. Stability and continuity had been found. Bari was both a disappointment and a surprise. Like the many defeats at the end of the season. Above all those of Cosenza and Cittadella. Truly surprising for a group that instead seemed to be recovering. Palermo could have gone straight to Serie A. City Group has been in the saddle for three years but the results have always been mediocre. The club is ambitious and solid. The sacrifices in the January transfer market were useless».

In Brescia he worked both as technical director and ds. Do you have an idea of ​​what is happening in B? If Cellino's club is held responsible, Salernitana and Sampdoria would go to the playouts - suspended for now. The malicious say it is a maneuver to save the Blucerchiati.

"It's not easy to get an idea of ​​what's happening because the story has taken everyone by surprise. If the League has intervened, it means that a proceeding is pending, although Brescia should be allowed to defend itself. Unfortunately, these things happen at the end of the championship and the problem is timing. Now, it's very complicated to reschedule the playouts in terms of how and when. You don't know when to play, without forgetting the problem of foreigners who could be called up to their national teams. A B with more teams? I experienced it in 2003 with a tournament expanded to 24. Total chaos."

The red and whites find themselves facing yet another year zero. The many players on loan will return to base. How can you plan and lay the foundations on these premises?

"Next year's Serie B will be much more difficult than this year's. Any teams that will fight to save themselves, like Frosinone, Salernitana or Sampdoria, have had a bad season and I don't think they will repeat it in such a negative way. Bari will have to equip themselves. I don't know what the owners' intentions are. Whether to make a revolution or not. I think they will start again with those who have already worked this year. That's my feeling. I think there will be continuity. It depends on the approach they want to adopt and the budget available. This discussion is also linked to what will happen to Napoli on the last day of Serie A. Bari is a great place and the De Laurentiis cannot underestimate this."

In the final analysis, the fans also targeted the sports director Magalini and the coach Longo for having supported the downward planning of the owners. The failure to qualify for the playoffs was defined by everyone as a failure. Maybe the fans are right.

"The disappointment of the fans is a consequence of the lack of results. You can't blame them. Access to the playoffs slipped away in the final and, I repeat, in matches that seemed absolutely within reach. The bitterness is enormous. Something will happen. To restore enthusiasm to the square, something more shared by the management will be needed".

Is there anything to save from the last red and white season?

"There is always something to save. Then, however, you have to understand the internal dynamics that I do not allow myself to enter into."

Based on your experience, if De Laurentiis could listen to you, what would you suggest he do to mend the rift with the fans?

"We need to have empathy towards the square and live the territory more. Breathe in its moods. You don't need to be a die-hard fan, but you need to be in tune with the needs of the people. Dialogue is the only way to get to the result."

The disaffection for the events of Ssc Bari is generating a climate of great coldness in the city. What repercussions could this state of affairs cause for future sporting results?

"Even in other places, where the owners are foreign, the lack of presence and empathy are a handicap. Cold numbers do not help to achieve sporting feats. However, the moods of the square change quickly. When I arrived in Puglia, there was full protest against the Matarrese and few people went to the stadium. In a short time, we filled it. Work changes the feelings of the fans. Those of Bari give a lot and must be listened to, if not downright pampered. To succeed, you have to be one with the environment and the territory".

There are rumors, yet to be verified, about the possible interest of a minority partner from America. A custom these days, just after the championship.

"Shareholdings can also be useful. I hope that these rumors are not a convenient fact to silence the black mood of the square. It would be important to realize something to give impetus to the corporate situation."

And in the meantime, in Serie A, Filmauro is winning another championship with his friend Conte's Napoli. At least under Vesuvius, the objectives are respected.

"We are at the final act. We must exploit the last match with concentration. Conte? I will call him after Friday. In these hours, I would end up distracting him. I hope he can crown this great feat. The initial objective of the Champions League has been achieved".

Finally, let's go back to Serie B. Between Catanzaro, Juve Stabia, Spezia and Cremonese, who do you see as favourites to go up to Serie A after Pisa and Sassuolo?

"The Calabrians play excellent football. The Campanians are well trained. The Ligurians and Lombards are favored by the standings. The promotion issue is very open."