A move that marks a turning point and a break with the recent past.
The Friedkins choose to side with Gasperini.
The message sent after the 5-2 defeat to Inter isn’t a message addressed to the coach, but a strong and direct message to the team. A clear warning. There are no more excuses.
Four changes on the bench and a script that has been repeated for far too long. From Fonseca to Juric, fans have seen the same scenario over and over again. This time, it’s different.
The focus is no longer solely on the coach, but on the team that, for years, has earned the label of “sixth-place team.” A mediocrity that, despite winning the Conference League and reaching the Europa League finals, has failed to qualify for the Champions League. Criticism has rained down on the team after yet another disappointment, with only 18 points from the last 12 games.
The Curva Sud had already sent a clear message on March 22 against Lecce: “We support our conduct and our oath. Now, however, you must earn respect, show what kind of men you are.”
These were strong, blunt words, which the dressing room didn’t appreciate. But Gasperini isn’t the one being blamed. The fans will support the team, but they want to see a reaction to avoid protests.
Gasperini did his best in his first few months, managing the team through injuries and obvious shortcomings, leading it to a surprising third-place finish. But then came the setback, with a return to the “comfort zone” that seemed to have trapped the team in a mental cage. This is where the ownership’s decision comes into play. No more protection, no more parachutes.
As Corriere dello Sport writes, the revolution is inevitable, profound, and about to begin.
Gasperini is aware of the direction the Friedkins want to take. It’s no secret that the cycle of mediocrity must end, and that to do so will require profound intervention within the team.
The coach knows this well, and for his part, he tries to maintain harmony in the locker room, declaring: “It would be madness to dismantle the group; players must be brought in.” These words protect the group, but also suggest that change is already underway and can no longer be postponed.
